There is no antiviral medication that cures hand, foot, and mouth disease. The infection, caused by coxsackievirus or enterovirus, has to run its course, which typically takes 7 to 10 days. But there are several over-the-counter and prescription options that can make the wait far more comfortable, especially for managing the painful mouth sores and itchy skin blisters that make this illness so miserable.
Pain and Fever Relief
The most important medicines for hand, foot, and mouth are basic pain relievers, because the mouth ulcers can make eating and drinking genuinely painful. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) both work well for reducing fever and easing the soreness. For infants and young children, use the infant or children’s versions and dose by weight.
One critical rule: never give aspirin to a child or teenager with a viral illness. Aspirin use during viral infections has been linked to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the liver and brain. This applies to plain aspirin and any medicine that contains aspirin as an ingredient. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are the safer alternatives.
Treatments for Mouth Sores
The mouth ulcers are often the worst part of hand, foot, and mouth, particularly for toddlers who refuse to eat or drink because of the pain. Several options can help numb the sores or coat them so swallowing feels less brutal.
For older children and adults, pharmacies can compound what’s commonly called “magic mouthwash.” The typical recipe combines equal parts viscous lidocaine (a numbing agent), liquid diphenhydramine (the antihistamine in Benadryl), and an antacid like Maalox. You swish it around your mouth and spit it out. The lidocaine numbs the sores, the antihistamine reduces inflammation, and the antacid coats the lining of the mouth. Some versions skip the lidocaine entirely and still provide meaningful relief. This usually requires a prescription, so you’ll need to call your doctor or pediatrician.
For younger kids who can’t swish and spit, simpler options work. Over-the-counter oral pain gels designed for teething or mouth sores can be dabbed directly onto ulcers. Cold foods like popsicles, ice chips, and chilled smoothies also act as natural numbing agents and have the added benefit of keeping a reluctant child hydrated.
Managing the Skin Rash
The blisters on the hands, feet, and sometimes buttocks or legs are usually less painful than the mouth sores, but they can itch. Calamine lotion applied directly to the rash can soothe the irritation. There’s no topical treatment that speeds up the rash itself. It simply has to go through its cycle.
Avoid popping the blisters, since the fluid inside is highly contagious. If blisters break on their own, gently wash the area with soap and water and let it air dry. Some parents find that loose clothing and cool baths help reduce overall discomfort, especially if the rash is widespread.
Preventing Dehydration
The biggest medical risk with hand, foot, and mouth, particularly in young children, isn’t the virus itself. It’s dehydration. Kids with painful mouth sores often refuse to drink, and if a fever is also present, they lose fluids faster than usual. Offer small, frequent sips of water, diluted juice, or an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte. Watch for signs of dehydration: fewer wet diapers, dry lips, no tears when crying, or unusual drowsiness. These warrant a call to your pediatrician or a visit to urgent care.
Antivirals and Antibiotics
Because hand, foot, and mouth is caused by a virus, antibiotics won’t help. Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. No antiviral drug is currently approved for the coxsackieviruses or enteroviruses that cause this illness. Occasionally a doctor may prescribe antibiotics if a blister becomes secondarily infected with bacteria, but that’s treating a complication, not the disease itself.
Is There a Vaccine?
Three vaccines against enterovirus 71 (one of the viruses that can cause hand, foot, and mouth) have been licensed in China. However, none of these vaccines are available in the United States, Europe, or most other countries. They also only target one specific virus strain, while hand, foot, and mouth can be caused by several different viruses. Candidate vaccines using other strains are in development but have not yet reached the licensing stage, and none have received prequalification from the World Health Organization.
What Recovery Looks Like
Most people start feeling noticeably better within 5 to 7 days. The fever usually breaks first, within 2 to 3 days. Mouth sores heal next, followed by the skin rash, which can linger for up to 10 days. Some children and adults experience nail peeling or shedding weeks after the illness resolves. This looks alarming but is harmless and temporary, as the nails grow back normally.
Adults who catch hand, foot, and mouth from their children often report that the illness hits harder than expected, with significant foot pain and fatigue. The same symptom management approach applies: pain relievers, soothing mouth treatments, and staying hydrated while the virus clears on its own.