Tips For Preventing Hand-Foot-And-Mouth Disease
Most people become infected with hand-foot-and-mouth disease when someone in their home has the disease. There is no current vaccine for this disease, but there are ways to lower your risk of catching it. The CDC recommends the following when somebody in your household has hand-foot-and-mouth disease or you travel to an area of the world where outbreaks are common:
1. Wash your hands with soap and water often.
- Hand washing is especially important: After using the toilet
- After changing diapers or potty training
- Before eating
- Before preparing food
2. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. If a virus that causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease is on a doorknob, toy, or other surfaces, you can get it by touching the surface and later your face. The virus can get inside your body through your mouth, eyes, or nose.
3. Avoid close contact with anyone who has hand-foot-and-mouth disease. This disease spreads when the infected person coughs or sneezes. Until you’re sure the person can no longer spread the virus, try to avoid getting too close, if possible.
Most people are no longer contagious after 7 to 10 days, but it can take longer.
4. Disinfect counters, doorknobs, and other surfaces that people frequently touch. The virus that causes hand-foot-and-mouth disease can spread from one person to another when you touch an infected surface. Disinfecting counters, doorknobs, toys, and other surfaces can help prevent the disease from spreading.
Schedule an appointment at our office if you or somebody in your household develops hand-foot-and-mouth disease. We will help relieve the discomfort. You can contact Western Maryland Dermatology at (301) 777-7900 or visit us online at wmderma.com/ contact where you can chat with one of our reservation specialists.
Source: www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hand-foot-mouth-self-care