Hand, Foot & Mouth Relief: Herbal Hacks to Soothe Sores Fast

When your little one is miserable, you feel it too. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is one of those illnesses that can make children (and parents) pretty miserable for a week or more. The good news: with gentle care, smart hygiene, and the right herbal support, you can help ease their discomfort while the body does its healing work.

In this post, we’ll walk through what hand, foot, and mouth disease is, how to tell it apart from impetigo, and practical herbal and home-care strategies to support healing.

What Is Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection that commonly affects children, especially those in diapers or in close contact with other kids.

Typical symptoms include:

Rash and sores on:
- Palms of the hands
- Soles of the feet
- Buttocks and diaper area
- Inside the mouth (roof of the mouth, throat, and sometimes tongue)
Fever
Sore throat
Irritability and discomfort (especially in little ones who can’t explain what hurts)

The illness usually lasts about 7–10 days, depending on the overall health and resilience of the child.

Why Is It So Contagious?

Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads easily because the virus is present in:

The fluid that oozes from the sores
Respiratory droplets (breathing, coughing, sneezing)
Saliva
Fecal matter (diapers, bathroom surfaces)

Children are naturally touchy-feely, share toys, and are often in close quarters, so it can move quickly through groups of kids.

Key takeaway: Anything that comes in contact with the sores, saliva, or diapers needs extra attention—wash hands thoroughly and often.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth vs. Impetigo: How to Tell the Difference

The sores from hand, foot, and mouth disease can look very similar to impetigo, but these are two different issues:

Impetigo

Cause: Bacterial infection
Location: Typically around the nose and mouth
Often starts with dripping from the nose, and as the child breathes out, the bacteria spread around the mouth and nose
If not treated, it can spread and even move into the mouth

Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease

Cause: Viral infection
Location: Sores on hands, feet, buttocks/diaper area, and inside the mouth
Often more widespread and can be more irritating

Simple rule of thumb:

Sores only around the nose and mouth → more likely impetigo
Sores on hands, feet, diaper area, and in the mouth → more likely hand, foot, and mouth disease

Both are highly contagious, and the fluid from the sores can easily spread the infection.

Soothing Mouth Sores: Herbal Help from the Inside

The mouth sores are often the most painful part for kids. They can make eating, drinking, and even swallowing uncomfortable. Here are some gentle herbal options:

1. Slippery Elm Drink

Slippery elm is known for its soothing, coating properties.

Helps coat and calm the sores in the mouth and throat
Can be combined with other mild spices to improve taste for children
Great for easing irritation and making it more comfortable to drink and swallow

2. Chamomile

Chamomile is gentle and calming.

Can help soothe irritated tissues
Supports relaxation and comfort

3. Red Raspberry Leaf Spray (Our Favorite)

Red raspberry leaf is especially helpful here.

How to use it:

Make a tea by simmering red raspberry leaf in water for 5–10 minutes.
Let it cool.
Pour into a clean spray bottle.
Have the child open their mouth and gently mist the tea into the mouth and throat.

Why it helps:

Supports the body in dealing with the virus
Very soothing to the sores
Helps wash away and dilute the viral load in the mouth

You can also use red raspberry leaf tea externally on rashes on the hands and feet to help cool, calm, and reduce itching.

Calming the Rash and Itch

Those little blisters on the hands, feet, and diaper area can be very uncomfortable.

Red Raspberry Leaf (Topical)

Use the same tea as above
Apply gently to the rash to cool, soothe, and reduce itch

Comfrey Gold Salve

Comfrey-based salves can be very comforting on irritated skin.

Important hygiene note:

Apply with a cotton swab or clean applicator
Never double-dip into the jar—get some salve out, apply it, and discard the swab
Avoid getting the fluid from the sores on your own skin or back into the jar (to prevent spreading the virus)

Supporting the Fever and Immune Response

A fever is the body’s natural response to infection. You want to monitor it carefully, but remember: the fever is part of the healing process.

Herbal Compress for Fever

You can make a gentle cool compress using:

Elderflower
Yarrow

Brew a tea, let it cool, soak a cloth in it, and place it on the forehead to help the child feel more comfortable.

Fection: Immune Support for Viral Infections

For viral issues and fever, Fection is a key formula in our herbal toolkit.

Supports the body in dealing with viruses, bacteria, and fungi
Helps strengthen the body’s ability to clear infections

Fection is especially helpful anytime there’s a fever or suspected viral infection.

Easing Pain and Discomfort

Between the sores, fever, and general malaise, kids can be pretty uncomfortable.

Herbal Tea for Pain

You can make a mild tea using herbs such as:

Peppermint
Rosemary
Wood betony

These can help take the edge off discomfort.

Throb Eaz (If They Can Take Capsules)

For older children or adults who can swallow capsules:

Throb Eaz can help reduce the pain and throbbing discomfort associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease.

Hydration: One of the Most Important Pieces

Hydration is crucial with any viral illness—especially when there’s fever and mouth pain.

Tea Honey: Our Favorite Hydration Blend

Tea honey is simple and powerful:

2 parts honey
1 part vinegar

That’s your concentrate. Then mix:

About 1 part concentrate to 8 parts water (adjust to taste)

To boost it further, we like to add:

A vitamin C powder (like an “Emergen-C” style packet)
A few drops of iodine

Why iodine?
Iodine is taken up by the thyroid, and as blood passes through, it can help the body deal with viruses circulating in the blood.

This combination:

Helps with hydration
Supports the body’s immune response to viral infection

Soothing Cold Treats

If the mouth is very sore:

Make herbal tea, let it cool, and freeze it into ice pops or small zip-top ice tubes
The cold is soothing, and the herbal tea can still provide gentle support

Comforting Baths for Itchy Skin

Baths can be very calming for kids dealing with rash and discomfort.

You can add to a lukewarm bath:

Epsom salt
Baking soda
Oatmeal
Herbal teas like calendula or lavender

These can help soothe the skin and relax the child.

Important:
Avoid putting multiple children in the tub together when one has hand, foot, and mouth disease—the water can spread the virus.

Rest: The Body’s Repair Time

It’s easy to overlook, but rest is medicine.

Create a calm, quiet environment
Limit overstimulation and loud TV
Encourage sleep and quiet time

The body does a lot of its repair and detox work during sleep, so giving your child plenty of rest is one of the best supports you can offer.

Safety Considerations

A few important cautions:

Avoid harsh chemicals on the sores—they can increase pain and irritation.
Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the sores. If you choose to use something like tea tree oil, always dilute it well in a carrier oil to avoid adding to the discomfort.
Watch for signs of more serious problems (very high or persistent fever, difficulty breathing, inability to drink, unusual lethargy) and seek medical care when needed.