What is the treatment for red spots on the hands, face, and legs in a 3.5-year-old kid?

Question

Hi doctor,

My 3.5-year-old daughter has red spots filled with water which rupture automatically and are seen for the past one week. It is present in her hands, legs, and face. She also vomits sometimes and does not eat properly. The doctor we visited gave her a Cetirizine syrup 3 ml and a Calamine lotion. But it is not reducing the spots. Kindly share your suggestions.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I went through your query and understood your concern. It seems she has developed varicella or hand-foot-and-mouth disease. It becomes challenging to identify without a physical examination sometimes. But still, in both cases, the condition usually subsides after seven to ten days, and only symptomatic treatment is required. I suggest you to follow the instructions mentioned below. Let her take plenty of fluids intake, including water, milk, or fruit juices, along with bed rest. Given her a bath with soap and water daily. To prevent secondary bacterial infection of the skin lesions, I suggest applying T-Bact (topical antibiotic) cream twice a day. You should continue Cetirizine (antihistamine) syrup, but Calamine lotion (topical antipruritic) is not currently required. The skin lesions should start subsiding with crust formation now, as it has already been a week. In addition, I suggest you to consult a pediatrician if the lack of appetite and vomiting persists. Also, antivirals have no role in this late case of varicella viral infection. I hope this has helped you.