Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease And Its Ayurvedic Management

ABSTRACT

There are numerous infections that are contagious means they get spread from one person to another  from a mere contact. Similarly hand, foot and mouth disease is also highly contagious disease. Its causative agent is a virus. It is the most common infection running in children. Hand, foot and mouth disease initiates with ulcers in the mouth that are sores and rashes or blisters  on feet, hands, legs or buttocks. It is a mild infection but is very painful and goes away within one week or more. In the below given article we shall be discussing all the details about Hand, mouth and foot disease and its management in modern as well as ancient systems of medicine.

INTRODUCTION

Hand, mouth and foot disease is a common spreading infection among children and can cause symptoms in adults as well. It is a viral infection whose causative agent is enterovirus mostly Spread of the disease is through contaminated hands or surfaces contaminated with faeces or through infected person’s saliva or respiratory secretons.in short it is a communicable disease. According to Ayurveda when persons vyadhi khshamatv (immunity) is so low that a person is very prone to be attacked by jivanu (micro organisms). Hence when there is low immunity he/she is attacked by  numerous infections and Hand, mouth and  feet is one of them.

Transmission of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease occurs through following

It spreads through infected persons

1. Throat secretions
2. Nose discharge
3. Saliva
4. Faeces
5. Blister’s fluid
6. Respiratory droplets while sneezing, coughing

Causes of Hand, Mouth and Foot Disease are : The viruses involved are

1. Coxsackievirus A16 (most common)
2. Coxsackievirus A6
3. Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71)

INCUBATION PERIOD

1. Incubation period ranges from 3 to 6 days

RISK FACTORS

Children below the age of five years with relatively low immunity are more prone as compared to adults

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS FOR HAND, MOUTH AND FOOT DISEASE

1. Fever
2. Sore throat
3. Fatigue
4. Loss of appetite
5. Irritated behaviour of child or infant
6. Painful blisters or ulcers usually in the back of the mouth that errupts
7. Headache
8. Nausea and vomiting
9. Rashes

DIAGNOSIS

1. Physical Examination
2. Culture and sensitivity:
3. Blister fluid
4. Throat swab
5. Stool sample

COMPLICATIONS

1. Dehydration
2. Viral meningitis
3. Paralysis
4. Encephalitis (brain swelling)
5. Myocarditis (swelling of heart muscles)
6. Loss of toenails and fingernails

MANAGEMENT

1. Plenty of cool fluids
2. Anaesthetic gel should be applied over painful blisters
3. Analgesics should be given to relieve pain
4. Antipyretics (to lower down fever)
5. Calamine lotion or anti itching  creams
6. Cold things such as popsicles, ice pops, yoghurt etc are used to soothe blisters in the mouth.
7. If complications occurred patient should be hospitalised

PREVENTIVE MEASURES:

1. Hands should be washed properly
2. Mouth should be covered while sneezing and coughing
3. Disinfectants should be used to clean floor
4. Avoid contact with the person suffering from hand, mouth or foot disease
5. Maintaining proper hygiene
6. Staying home when you are sick
7. Isolate contagious people
8. Disinfect children’s toys
9. Citrus fruits should be avoided
10. Soft easily chewable food should be given

Ayurvedic aspect and management of Hand, mouth and foot disease

Ayurveda is an ancient science of healing having existed before 3000 years. Ayurveda revolves around three sharirik doshas vata, pitta and kapha and three mansik doshas satva, rajas, tamas. In hand, mouth and foot disease is related to Graha in Ayurveda. Graha means planet or any unseen organism or power. This invisible entity invades the child’s body producing various physical as well as mental symptoms. Graha’s can be compared to bacteria, viruses or any microorganism since they are also invisible. The Graha that invades the child in hand, mouth and foot disease is Shakuni Graha.

स्रस्ताड्.गत्वमतीसारो वजह्वातालुगलेव्रणा:।

स्फोटा: सदाहरुक् पाका: सन्धन्धषुस्यु: पुन: पुन: ॥

This shloka explains the exact features like hand, mouth and foot disease. Disease represents features like redness of the mucous membrane of the mouth, ulcers or blisters in the throat and mouth and fever. Crops of painful blisters daily followed by leaving an ulcerated area.

REMEDIAL MEASURES

1. Applying  paste of root bark of Amlaki with honey
2. Chewing babul leaves
3. Bark of neem should be kept in mouth
4. Applying irimedadi oil over the sores
5. Pure tankan bhasm (borax) mixed with honey should be applied over the sores
6. Mixture of rasanjan (extract of daruharidra or berberis aristata), swaran gairik (red ochre) and loh bhasma (ashes of iron) should be applied over the sores
7. Gargles with salt water or milk boiled with yashtimadhu or jatyadi ghrita
8. Decoction of the bark of palash (Butea monosperma), jamun (syzygium cumini), vata (Ficus bengalensis) and babul should be used
9. For kaval or gandoosh use guava leaves, amla (indian gooseberry), leaves of madhyantika or mehandi (Lawsonia inermis) opr vidanga (Embelia ribes)
10. Paste of  yastimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), usher (Vetiveria zizanioides) should be applied over sores
11. Oils such as jatyadi oil, neem oil, cow ghee, satadhoutaghritam can be applied
12. One tablespoon equal extract of tulsi (Holy basil)  and pudina (mint leaves) should b given twice a day

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

Planet Ayurveda is a well known GMP certified, ISO 9001:2015 certified and US-FDA registered Ayurvedic Company, which adhered to the aim of manufacturing quality Ayurvedic products as mentioned in the various ancient texts of Ayurveda. formulations are manufactured without additives and preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or artificial flavouring agents which causes a number of side effects on the human body. Products prepared at Planet Ayurveda are pure and do not contain any kind of adulteration. The products are purely organic and vegetarian and gluten free. Planet Ayurveda presents its products which are beneficial in 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

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. Septrin Tablets

Septrin tablet is the product of Planet Ayurveda which is a very effective formulation for many infectious conditions. This herbal formulation consists of  haldi (Curcuma longa), sonth (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum), tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), guggul (Commiphora mukul) and marich (Piper nigrum). All the herbs possess antimicrobial, antipyretic, anti inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Septrin potently fights the condition of hand, mouth and foot disease.

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

2. Curcumin Capsules

Curcumin capsule is enriched with the magical herbs Haridra or haldi (curcuma longa). Curcumin possesses properties of antiseptic, anti microbial. It is a potent antioxidant. It kills the germs, removes toxins from the body. It builds up the immunity to fight all the infections. From ancient times haridra has been used for various skin ailments. Curcumin capsules effectively fight against hand, mouth and foot disease.

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

3. Amritarisht

Amritarisht is a classical Ayurvedic formulation prepared with various potent herbs like amrita or guduchi  (Tinospora cordifolia), brihati (Solanum indicum), kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum),gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), ambhari (Gmelina arborea), nagkesar (Mesua ferrea), nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus), dhatki pushp (Woodfordia fruticosa), shyonak (Oroxylum indicum) and many others. It boosts up immunity and is effective in fighting against all kinds of bacterial and viral infections. It also acts as antipyretic. Therefore helpful in managing hand, mouth and foot disease.

Dosage : 5 ml twice a day with equal amount of water after meals.

4. Mahamanjishthadi Kwath

Mahamanjishthadi Kwath is a  herbal blend of various natural herbs like manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), akarkara (Anacyclus pyrethrum), daruhaldi (Berberis aristata), neem (Azadirachta indica), kutki (Picrorhiza kurroa), murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), sonth (Zingiber officinale) and many others. This kwath is very effective in all kinds of skin diseases. It also acts as antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. It detoxifies the body by cleansing the blood hence it is a powerful antioxidant. And  very effectively manages the symptoms of hand, mouth and foot disease.

Dosage : 5 ml twice a day after meals with equal amount of lukewarm water

Conclusion

As we already discussed all about hand, mouth and foot disease in modern as well as Ayurvedic aspects. Children are very prone to all the infectious diseases especially when their immunity is very low. To protect children from any kind of infections, immunity of the child has to be raised. Ayurveda has well explained the features of this disease in Shakuni Graha. Planet Ayurveda has the combination of herbal drugs that potently manages the symptoms of Hand, Mouth and foot disease and on the other hand raises the immunity.