SHOP TILL YOU DROP
Doctor issues shopping trolley warning as mum catches nasty childhood disease
Symptoms of the painful childhood disease and how to lessen the chances of getting it
A DOCTOR has urged parents to take extra care when doing their food shop, after a mum claimed she caught hand, foot and mouth disease after gripping a supermarket trolley.
The TikTok creator Sydney Grant documented taking her baby with her to shop for groceries and putting her little on in a shopping trolley for the first time.
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But the wholesome experience turned into a nightmare after the mum broke out in a blistery rash across her hands and face.
Turns out, Sydney had fallen victim to a painful illness that most commonly affects children.
After the TikTok clip was viewed a whopping 15 million times - Dr Kunal Sood - who goes by @doctorsood on social media - took to Instagram to warn parents about how germy shopping trolleys really are.
“It is possible to pass an infection from a shopping cart,” Dr Sood said.
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“But do you know exactly how dirty a shopping cart is?”
He cited a University of Arizona study showing that over 75 per cent of shopping trolleys had traces of faecal bacteria - yep, that's poo.
The doctor's stomach-churning revelation might make many parents rethink popping their little ones in the shopping cart seat.
Dr Sood even suggested that supermarket trolleys could be dirtier than toilets - as per the study - as bathrooms are more likely to be cleaned regularly.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease is not all your child might be getting.
According to the study's authors: "Placing children in grocery shopping carts has been implicated recently as a source of infection with Salmonella and Campylobacter in young children."
They concluded: "The results of this study suggest the need for improved sanitation of shopping carts and baskets to reduce exposure to pathogens and potential transmission of microbial infections among shoppers."
Dr Sood said: "The best way to lower the risk of infection for both you and your kids is to use a disinfecting wipe and make sure you wipe the shopping cart handle."
People commenting on Sydney's video also suggesting buying a shopping cart cover to take with you on supermarket trips with your tot.
What are the symptoms of hand, food and mouth disease?
Hand, food and mouth disease is more commonly caught by children but it also affects adults.
NHS guidance says the first signs of the childhood illness aren't usually a rash, but:
- a sore throat
- a high temperature
- not wanting to eat
It's not till the second stage that blisters appear.
It'll be a raised rash of spots on the hands and feet, and sometimes the thighs and bottom
The spots can look pink, red, or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your skin tone and they can turn to painful blisters that might be grey or lighter than your skin.
You or your tot might also get painful mouth ulcers.
How can I treat the disease?
There's not much you can do to treat hand, foot and mouth disease, aside from:
- drinking fluids to prevent dehydration and avoiding acidic drinks, such as fruit juice
- eating soft foods like yoghurt and avoiding hot and spicy foods
- taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to help ease a sore mouth or throat
Antibiotics are unlikely to help, according to NHS.
But it said you should see a GP if:
- your symptoms or your child's symptoms do not improve after seven to 10 days
- you or your child has a very high temperature, or feels hot and shivery
- you're worried about your child's symptoms
- your child is dehydrated and they're not peeing as often as usual
- you're pregnant and get hand, foot and mouth disease
How is it spread?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is passed on to other people pretty easily.
It's spread in coughs, sneezes, poo and the fluid in the blisters and, sadly, you can get it more than once.
You're most likely to spread it to others in the first five days after symptoms start.
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To reduce the risk of spreading hand, foot and mouth disease:
- wash your hands often with soap and water, and children's hands too
- use tissues to trap germs when you cough or sneeze
- bin used tissues as quickly as possible
- do not share towels or household items like cups or cutlery
- wash soiled bedding and clothing on a hot wash