My kids have "hand foot and mouth disease": Ask me anything.

[youthere]

Mouth sores, rash on the hands and feet, sore throat, fever, loss of appetite..and man are they cranky. My poor babies. All three. Yikes.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. How did they contract it?

Doesn't that mean there's an epidemic in your area?

[youthere]

3. I think they got it at the playground..

and yep..doc says "it's everywhere".

[joneschick]

2. it's usually a daycare thing isn't it?

I remember getting the notices from daycare when my kids were little when there was an outbreak, but mine never got it. My kids were the one's that got scarlet fever when the rest of the city got cryptosporidium........
you have my sympathies. Would oatmeal baths help with the rash? Bathtime was always good for general crankiness, too. Popsicles as a I remember may be welcomed. Make Jello but don't let it jell for drinking. Very soothing. hugs and good luck

[youthere]

4. I'm pretty sure they got it at the playground...

We go to the park every morning (they play and I run on the adjacent track). The doctor said it's really common during the summer and early fall. It's a virus and there is no treatment for it-only symptomatic. So it just has to run it's course. Lots of fluids, ibuprofen, and as much ice cream/pudding/popsicles/yogurt as they want (they don't want any).
I'll try the oatmeal bath. The kids say the rash doesn't hurt unless they "push" on them (so don't push on them!) but they have been digging at them. Thanks for the advice and the support!

[joneschick]

7. how old are your kids?

playing in the spinkler can be a great distraction for them.

[youthere]

8. They are 10, 8, and 6.

Right now they just feel too lousy to do anything-they might be interested in the sprinkler once they start feeling a little better.

[barackmyworld]

5. ahh I had that!

But I got it when I was 19, so I didn't have anything on my hands or feet. It was HORRIBLE! I couldn't eat anything and it was finals time :(

Give them jello and warm soup broth.

[youthere]

6. Thanks barackmyworld....

none of them have an appetite. They're feeling miserable.

[soothsayer]

9. Are they baby goats? Or actual children. ; )

[youthere]

10. LOL actual children. The baby goats are feeling fine. n/t