Every year from April to June, Beijing experiences its annual outbreak of Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD).

According to The Beijing News, Beijing is witnessing more HFMD cases this year. Statistics from the Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control indicated that there have already been 448 cases by April 8.

HFMD is a common illness that occurs mainly in children under 10 years old. It usually begins with a mild fever, poor appetite, and a sore throat. Painful sores will develop in the mouth after one or two days, and a rash with small red blisters, which often become ulcers afterward.

Though there have been infrequent reports of death from HFMD, it’s usually not a serious illness. Nearly all patients recover within one week to 10 days with medical treatment.

There are two main causes of HFMD: an infection caused by the coxsackievirus, and another infection caused by the enterovirus (EV) 71, with the latter being more severe and accounting for nearly 30 percent of cases annually.

Beijing-based pharmaceutical company Sinovac Biotech has developed a vaccine to protect against EV71, but it only works for children aged 6 months to 5 years. There are 533 qualified vaccination centers in Beijing and you can see the list here.

There are several suggestions provided by CDC to lower the risk of being infected. These include washing your hands often with soap and water, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and soiled items, including toys.

Also, try to avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people with HFMD because it is contagious.

I have been on a bit of a mission to try out different spas and salons to get my pretty back this summer. Staying calm and looking fresh is my new mission, as I bike through Beijing. The city has plenty of great spots to get pampered. We all need some help looking and feeling our best, and I have tried out some treatments and will be sharing my experiences. Watch this space for more mommy beauty news from the frontlines.

Reflexology Foot Massage at Regency Tai Pan

I was a bit nervous going to this spa, as I never been before and I don’t speak Chinese, so it could have ended up in a bit of a mess. But rest assured this spa has a menu in both Chinese and English. I wandered in after a grueling workout and had two hours to kill before I had to be home, so naturally I wanted to discover something new. When you enter the spa it’s kind of dark, but this adds to the relaxing mood I soon soaked up. I picked the reflexology foot massage, which would last 80 minutes.

I was led into a private room with two very relaxing armchairs. They had a menu in English and Chinese with some food items and drinks. These are complimentary so if you need a bit of a snack there is plenty to choose from. I got a cold honey and lemon water, and some rice and pork. There is a TV in the room and soothing music is played. You can change the temperature and lighting of the room so you can be ultimately relaxed.

The masseur came with a bucket of warm water to clean and soak my feet; while they were soaking he did a mini-massage on my back. He then started on my feet and, oh my! those were the best 80 minutes I’d spent in a long time. The pressure was great, and he was very kind and asked how it was. I just closed my eyes and relaxed for a long hour. This was the kind of experience I thought I would have from day one arriving in China; it just took almost one year to find the courage and go for it.

This spa is very clean and the rooms are great for a relaxing time with a friend, as I did the same week again. The prices are great, even including special deals on weekdays before 5 pm, with a 20 percent discount on some spa treatments. For a little extra you can add a knee mask or a pedicure that will leave your feet softer than a baby’s bottom. I spent in total RMB 150 for a foot reflexology massage and knee mask, with drinks and food.

Regency Tai Pan

Address: B1 floor, Oakwood Residences Building, No.55 Dongsanhuan North Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing