Propolis as a Treatment Option for Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Children: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study

This prospective multicenter randomized clinical study evaluated the effect of a Turkish Anatolian propolis supplement in children diagnosed with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a viral infection for which no specific antiviral therapy exists. The trial enrolled 183 children (median age 28 months, range 12-112 months; male:female ratio 1:1) across eight centres in Türkiye. Participants were randomized to receive standard symptomatic care plus propolis (n=87) or symptomatic care alone (control group, n=96). Parents rated their child’s restlessness, loss of appetite and sleeplessness on a 0-10 scale at baseline, approximately 48 hours and again at 5-7 days. The propolis group showed significantly lower complaint scores at the 2nd visit (p = 0.028) and highly significant difference at the 3rd visit (p < 0.001). Moreover, the mean illness duration in the propolis group was 7.45 days compared to 8.58 days in the control group (p < 0.001). No adverse effects related to propolis were observed. The authors conclude that propolis appears to accelerate symptomatic relief and shorten disease duration in HFMD among children, and suggest that further studies involving virological endpoints are warranted given the current lack of antiviral options for HFMD.