Going back to school is exciting for many children as they enter new classes, see their friends, and return to their extracurricular activities. However, back-to-school season also comes with more close contact, which can result in the transmission of pediatric infections. Two common conditions often seen around this time are hand, foot, and mouth disease and warts. While these conditions are not life-threatening, they can both lead to discomfort, irritation, and missed school days.
At the Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center, we offer several treatments to address a wide range of pediatric illnesses, including hand, foot, and mouth disease, as well as warts. Our team is led by Dr. Paul Yamauchi, a renowned dermatologist with more than 25 years of experience. He has also performed more than 200 clinical trials to help develop new, innovative therapies and treatments. When he is not helping one of his patients or performing a study, Dr. Yamauchi can be found teaching as a clinical assistant professor at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine, shaping future generations of doctors.
To learn more about our pediatric treatments, please schedule a consultation online or call our office at (310) 829-4104.
Contents
- 1 About Pediatric Back-to-School Infections
- 2 Benefits
- 3 Candidates
- 4 Personal Consultation
- 5 Preparation
- 6 When treating warts, you will need to ensure your child does not scratch or pick at any bumps, as this can spread the virus to others. You will need to keep their skin clean and dry leading up to your appointment, avoiding the use of lotions, creams, or nail polish around the wart.
- 7 Procedure
- 8 Recovery
- 9 Results
- 10 Cost of Treating Pediatric Back-to-School Infections in Santa Monica and Los Angeles
- 11 FAQ
- 11.1 Are warts and hand, foot, and mouth disease more common during the school year?
- 11.2 How can I tell if my child has developed a wart?
- 11.3 Is it safe to send my child to school if they have either HFMD or warts?
- 11.4 How do I know if my child has hand, foot, and mouth disease?
- 11.5 How can my child prevent the spread of pediatric back-to-school infections?
- 12 References
About Pediatric Back-to-School Infections
Pediatric back-to-school infections are sicknesses or conditions caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi that can easily spread throughout schools. In the fall, it is common for many children to get sick due to the sudden increase in closeness with others. This can cause the rapid spread of certain conditions, such as hand, foot, and mouth disease, warts, and more.
About Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD)
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness that primarily affects infants and children. HFMD is transmitted through a shed virus and can spread through contaminated surfaces, coughs, sneezes, blister fluid, and more. (1) The most common symptoms typically include mouth and throat pain, sores or lesions, fevers, and rashes around the hands, feet, and buttocks.
About Warts
Warts are harmless bumps caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that can develop on the skin. Warts can occur at any site on the body and may be transmitted through direct or indirect contact. They are often characterized by their rough texture, raised appearance, and white or brown coloring. Warts are very common, affecting approximately 10% of the population, with a 10% to 20% prevalence among school-aged children. (2)
Benefits
We know how important your child’s health is, and the Dermatology Institute & Skin Care Center team prioritizes this alongside expertise and vast knowledge. Under our expert care, your child can benefit through:
- Alleviated Discomfort: Treating your child’s infection early on can help provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms, such as irritation, pain, or itching.
- Outbreak Prevention: Addressing HFMD and warts early on can stop these illnesses from spreading to other classmates or friends, reducing the risk of widespread infection.
- Quicker Recovery: Seeing a professional dermatologist can help you access more effective treatment options, allowing your child to return to their classes and extracurriculars sooner.
- Reduced Risk of Complications: Addressing your child’s infections can help reduce the chances of more serious complications occurring.
- Peace of Mind: With professional guidance and support, you will not need to stress or worry about your child’s overall health or treatment as much.
Candidates
You may want to have your child seen by a professional dermatologist if you have noticed the development of small, rough bumps around their hands or feet, as well as symptoms such as mouth sores, fevers, or trouble swallowing. Children with infected siblings or multiple infected classmates may also be recommended for treatment, depending on how quickly the outbreak is spreading. Kids whose warts or symptoms have not improved with over-the-counter care, as well as children who have yet to be cleared to return to school, may also find it beneficial to meet with one of our dermatologists.
Personal Consultation
Before your child’s treatment can start, you will need to attend a personal consultation at either our Santa Monica location. During this appointment, one of our expert dermatologists will meet with you and your child. We will ask you about your child’s medical history, symptoms, and treatment goals before performing a physical examination to evaluate their symptoms. With this information, we will determine the type of infection your child has and recommend the best course of action depending on their circumstances.
To schedule this consultation, please submit our online contact form or call our office directly at (310) 829-4104.
Preparation
During your consultation, your specialist will instruct you on how to prepare your child for their treatment. There is little preparation involved when treating both warts and HFMD, but taking certain measures can enhance results.
When treating warts, you will need to ensure your child does not scratch or pick at any bumps, as this can spread the virus to others. You will need to keep their skin clean and dry leading up to your appointment, avoiding the use of lotions, creams, or nail polish around the wart.
When preparing for an HFMD treatment, you will need to ensure your child remains well-hydrated, as dehydration can worsen their symptoms. Soft foods and liquids will help ensure any sores within or around the mouth are not irritated. It is also important that your child wears lightweight, breathable clothing, especially if they have a rash or fever.
Procedure
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Treatment
HFMD is a viral infection, which means that there is no straightforward cure or treatment for this infection. Treating this disease primarily lies in maintaining hydration levels, avoiding any foods or drinks that irritate the mouth, using mouth sprays or rinses to alleviate throat pain, and taking medication to help reduce rash or fevers. (1) Our dermatologists can prescribe medications to help reduce and alleviate certain symptoms, such as throat pain, fevers, or rashes.
Warts Treatment
When addressing warts, we offer both in-office and at-home procedures. These options include cryotherapy and salicylic acid.
- Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy is considered to be the treatment of choice when managing warts. This treatment helps destroy infected tissue through the use of liquid nitrogen. This freezes the local tissue, which causes it to blister, allowing newer and healthier skin to start growing underneath. This treatment is very quick to perform, but it can feel like a sharp stinging or burning cold when performed. (3)
- Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid is a common skincare ingredient that not only addresses acne, but can also be used to address calluses, psoriasis, and warts. This treatment can come in a solution, gel, or patch form and is applied directly to the wart. The salicylic acid gradually breaks down the toughened skin, causing the wart to shrink and disappear. This treatment typically takes several weeks to complete and offers a painless way of treating your child’s warts. This treatment may also be performed within the comfort of your own home, allowing you to achieve significant results without constant return visits to our office.
Recovery
After your child’s treatment, your dermatologist will provide you with a set of recovery instructions so you understand how to support your child as they heal. These instructions may vary depending on the infection being treated as well as the details of your child’s treatment plan.
When recovering from HFMD, your child will need to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy diet. Your child will need to stay home from school and sports until their symptoms start to resolve, particularly any fevers or mouth sores, as HFMD can spread easily in group settings.
When recovering from wart treatments, you will need to cover your child’s wart with a bandage to reduce the risk of your child scratching the area or infecting anyone else. The treated area may blister, scab, flake, or feel tender, but these effects will subside on their own within several days. During this time, your child may return to their classes and extracurriculars as normal.
Results
With the proper care and treatment, both HFMD and warts can be resolved safely and efficiently.
Results of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Treatment
Most children tend to recover from HFMD after approximately 7-10 days, after which they can return to school feeling much healthier and comfortable. (1) They typically develop a level of immunity to the specific virus strain; however, your child may catch this infection again in the future from a different strain.
Results of Wart Treatment
After treating your child’s warts using either cryotherapy or salicylic acid, you will be able to see them shrink and disappear, leaving their skin clearer and smoother. Light marks may be seen in areas where warts were treated, but these are temporary and will fade over time. Warts may develop again in the future, as HPV can live dormant in the skin.
Cost of Treating Pediatric Back-to-School Infections in Santa Monica and Los Angeles
The cost of treating your child’s infection can vary depending on whether your child has warts or HFMD, the type of treatment performed, and several other factors. During your child’s consultation, we will discuss the cost of their treatment with you. Our practice remains dedicated to providing competitive prices, all while producing the most premium results.
To learn more about the cost of your child’s treatment plan, please contact us online or call (310) 829-4104.
FAQ
Are warts and hand, foot, and mouth disease more common during the school year?
No, HFMD is more common during the late spring and early summer, which is when the school year would be ending. (1) However, back-to-school season often means your child engages in more close contact with a larger number of people, which can expose them to more pathogens and bacteria.
How can I tell if my child has developed a wart?
If you notice a small, rough, white, or brown bump on your child’s body, it may be a wart. The surest way of knowing is to bring your child to a dermatologist.
Is it safe to send my child to school if they have either HFMD or warts?
Children with warts can attend school, but will need to avoid sharing personal items. Children with HFMD should stay home until any open sores have healed and they are no longer fevering. Most children recover in 7-10 days, but they may return sooner when they feel well enough.
How do I know if my child has hand, foot, and mouth disease?
HFMD often causes mouth sores, a sore throat, rash and blisters, as well as fevers to develop. For many patients, symptoms begin with a low-grade fever, reduced appetite, and general malaise. (1)
How can my child prevent the spread of pediatric back-to-school infections?
Your child can prevent the spread of infections by washing their hands often, refraining from touching their eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact and sharing personal items.
References
- Guerra AM, Orille E, Waseem M. Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Nih.gov. Published March 4, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431082/#article-22561.s11
- Al Aboud AM, Nigam PK. Wart. PubMed. Published 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431047/#article-31113.s9
- García‐Oreja S, Álvaro‐Afonso FJ, Tardáguila‐García A, López‐Moral M, García‐Madrid M, Lázaro‐Martínez JL. Efficacy of cryotherapy for plantar warts: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Dermatologic Therapy. 2022;35(6). doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.15480