Hand, Mouth & Foot Disease And Its Ayurvedic Management

Abstract

There are a number of infectious and contagious diseases that get transmitted from one person to another through various means of contact. Similarly Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease is a highly contagious condition that is caused by a virus. Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease manifest itself with sores and blisters in the oral cavity and rash on the feet and hand. Usually the condition is mild and goes away on its own in a week or more. In the following text we shall look at Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease in a little detail and its management in the contemporary system of medicine as well as the traditional Indian system of medicine. Let’s discuss!!

Introduction

Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease is an infectious and common condition that usually affects children with rashes on the hands, feet, buttocks, legs etc and ulcers or sores in the oral cavity. It is also known as enteroviral vesicular stomatitis with exanthem. The infection is caused by an enteroviruses group The condition is usually not very serious but is highly communicable. It is a virtual condition. In Ayurveda, the condition can be correlated with jivanu infestation due to weak immunity of the body. When the immunity goes down many microorganisms and pathogens get a chance to infect the body which results in a number of health conditions. Thus Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease is best correlated with jivanu janya vyadhi due to weak or heen vyadhi shamatava. After entering the body these pathogens disturbs the balance of the bodily doshas.

Causes Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• The virus that are behind the coxsackievirus a 16 id the most common causative organism that causes Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease.
• Enterovirus 71 is the second most common cause.
• There are other strains of the above said viruses that can lead to the Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease.

Transmission of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease can occur with following substances

• Mucus
• Blister fluids
• Saliva
• Faeces
• Nasopharyngeal secretions

Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease can spread by

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Close contact such as hugging, kissing, sharing utensils
• Contact with bodily fluids

Incubation Period

• Incubation period ranges from 3 to 6 days.

Those who are at risk

• Children below the age of five years as their immunity is relatively low as compared to elders.

Signs and Symptoms Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• Fever
• Blisters or ulcers that are painful erupts in the oral cavity such as lips, gums etc
• Malaise
• Irritation
• Loss of appetite
• Crankiness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Rashes
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Drooling

Diagnosis Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• Physical examination
• Throat swab culture and sensitivity
• Blister Fluid culture and sensitivity
• Stool sample culture and sensitivity

Complications Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• Myocarditis
• Encephalitis
• Loss of fingernail or toenail
• Paralysis
• Viral meningitis
• Dehydration

Management Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• Analgesics such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
• Anaesthetic gels for local application over the painful blisters.
• Antipyretics
• Cold things such as ice pops, yoghurt etc are used to soothe blisters in the mouth.
• Anti-itching creams oer locations such as calamine are used.
• In some of the cases individuals are admitted in the hospitals if the complications have occured.

Prevention Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• Washing hands properly with soap
• Covering the mouth and nose while sneezing and coughing
• Disinfect surfaces and items such as door knobs
• Avoid close contact with who is suffering from Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease
• Maintaining proper hygiene

Ayurvedic Management Of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

• The paste of yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), usher (Vetiveria zizanioides), and manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) can be applied to the sores and rashes on the body.
• Powder of arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), udumbara (Ficus racemosa), lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) and vacha (Acorus calamus) can be mixed with honey can be applied on the mouth ulcers.
• Other herbs and medications which are known to kill microorganisms (krimighan) can be used such as vidangarishta, krimikuthar ras, vidangadi churna, chandrashuradi kashayam etc.
• Nirgundi oil, jatyadi oil, shata dhauta ghrita, guduchyadi oil etc can be applied over the skin.

Herbal Remedies for Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a famous GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which sticks to the objective of producing quality Ayurvedic products as described in a number of ancient texts of Ayurveda. Planet Ayurveda has worldwide branches. Products are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavour enhancers which can cause a number of side effects on the human body. Products manufactured at Planet Ayurveda are pure and devoid of any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda presents its products that boost immunity and possess antimicrobial and blood cleansing properties that are required in managing the conduction of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease.

Following is the list of products that are beneficial in managing Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease

1. Septrin Tablets
2. Curcumin Capsules
3. Amritarisht
4. Mahamanjishthadi Kwath

Products Description

1. Septrin Tablets

Septrin tablets are an effective formulation that is used in various infective conditions. The herbs include pippali (Piper longum), haldi (Curcuma longa), sonth (Zingiber officinale), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), marich (Piper nigrum) and guggul (Commiphora mukul). The herbs present in the formulation possess antimicrobial, analgesic,antipyretic and antiseptic properties which makes it an effective formulation that fights infections. Therefore, the condition of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease is well managed by Septrin tablets.

Dosage: One tablet two times a day after meals with plain water.

2. Curcumin Capsules

The curcumin capsules are filled with the goodness of haridra (Curcuma longa). Haridra possesses a number of helpful properties which make it a hertz of choice in various healthy conditions. Curcumin helps in fighting the microorganisms that infested the body and produces a number of symptoms. It reduces fever, kills germs, neutralises toxins secreted by a number of microorganisms. It also soothes the skin and heals ulcers and rashes caused by Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease.

Dosage: One capsule twice a day with plain water after meals.

3. Amritarisht

Amritarisht is a classical Ayurvedic formulation which is made up of a variety of herbs. The herbs include brihati (Solanum indicum), kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), gur (Saccharam officinarum), saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris), gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), patla (Stereospermum suaveolens), gambhari (Gmelina arborea), shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), nagkesar (Mesua ferrea), atees (Aconitum heterophyllum), dhatki pushp (Woodfordia fruticosa) etc. As the name of the formulation suggests it is considered as nectar. Amritarisht boosts immunity therefore helps the body to fight various viral and as well bacteria infections. It reduces fever. Therefore it is useful in Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease and its associated symptoms.

Dosage: 5 ml twice a day with plain water after meals.

4. Mahamanjishthadi Kwath

Mahamanjishthadi kwath is a blend of a number of herbs that cleanses blood and treats viral and bacterial infections. The formulation is filled with goodness of various herbs such as manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), akarkara (Anacyclus pyrethrum), sonth (Zingiber officinale), vacha (Acorus calamus), neem (Azadirachta indica), daruhaldi (Berberis aristata), amla (Emblica officinalis), kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), harad (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), patol patra (Trichosanthes cucumerina), trayamana (Gentiana kurroo), adusa (Adhatoda vasica) and many more. The formulation helps in reducing fever, possesses antipyretic, antiinflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial activity. It6 cleanses blood from the toxins that are secreted by pathogens. Therefore, mahamanjishthadi kwath is a super remedy in the management of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease as it cares about all the conditions associated with the same.

Dosage: 5 ml twice a day after meals with lukewarm water.

Conclusion

As we discussed Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease we have come to know that the condition is common in children and toddlers because of their low immunity. Usually the condition is common and gets well on its own. But sometimes the complications can occur and that are too severe. Therefore the treatment is required as soon as possible when the condition is diagnosed. In the contemporary system of medicine. The disease is treated by merely analgesics, antipyretic and anaesthetic for local application. Whereas in the Ayurvedic system of medicines, the condition is managed by herbal medications and home remedies which exhibit no side effects. Furthermore, the medications described above manage the Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease as well as its symptoms. In addition to this medicines clears and cleans the blood and boosts immunity to fight pathogens.