Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

The reason behind Belle's fever and crying is hand, foot and mouth disease which is a common infection passed on through saliva. Since all the kids at the park had a fever too I assume that she got it from one of them. Of course I don't think she was the one who spread the infection!! She was the last one to get the fever so I think it was the other dirty kids :)

So much for me being a mother who tries not to obsess with cleanliness and let my kid eat dirt. I do wash her toys regularly but I am not opposed to her crawling in the grass and playing with other kids. Maybe I should re-evaluate?

Anyway, I dismissed some of her symptoms to teething and other things. She had these little red bumps that looked like chiggers on her feet. Then she got a few little blisters on her toes which I attributed to army crawling or possible ant bites from the grass. Not to mention all the drooling she was doing. When we went to the doctor the other day I showed him the blisters and that's when I heard the news.

She had hand, foot and mouth disease over the weekend plus she was teething. No wonder the poor girl couldn't sleep or eat. I felt like I was giving Tylenol and Ibuprofen around the clock not to mention constant rocking and comforting.

I guess the disease can cause blister lesions on the hands, feet and mouth.... I am not sure if she had any in her mouth/throat but I bet she did. Other than a few little blisters on her toes, and one on her hand she was free and clear of any other signs.

Today she seems to be feeling better even though we had another sleepless night. The constant crying is over for now and she has moments of being her old self. I hope with-in a few days this will all be over and hopefully the teething will follow!

Poor little baby. I honestly hope she never gets sick again (I know that's impossible) because seeing her hurt is the WORST feeling in the world. Now I truly understand how a mother could commit murder to anyone who hurt her baby....

All of Belle's toy have been sterilized and we are going to avoid contact with other kids for a little while. At least until this whole thing blows over then it will be back to the park for some more natural immunity.

Tchau,
Sara