Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Explained

Hand, Foot and mouth disease is a contagious viral infection that most often affects babies and young children and causes painful blisters and mouth ulcers. It tends to clear up within a week or so. Read on to learn more about the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease, its causes and treatment.

What Is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common childhood illnesses, although it can affect adults too.

HMFD often causes a rash as well as painful red spots and blisters on the hands and feet and in the mouth – hence the name. (Keep in mind, hand, foot and mouth disease in humans is not related to the ‘foot and mouth disease’ that affects farm animals.)

Although it can be uncomfortable for your baby or toddler, don’t worry: Hand, foot and mouth disease is typically a minor illness that clears up in a week or so without treatment.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Symptoms

The first signs of hand, foot and mouth infection in your baby or toddler are often a

• fever

• sore throat

• poor appetite

• general feeling of poorliness.

It can take a few days after your child is first infected for these early stage symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease to start showing.

A few days after your little one comes down with the initial fever, the characteristic symptoms of hand foot and mouth usually appear. These can be

• a skin rash that doesn’t itch, usually on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

• ulcers in the mouth and on the tongue, which can be painful and make eating or drinking difficult for your child

• red spots that develop into blisters on the hands and feet (and occasionally in the nappy area). The blisters are grey in the middle and may be painful.

Keep in mind that your little one may display all or some or none of the above symptoms. In fact, around half of all adults have already had hand, foot and mouth disease at some time in their life without even knowing about it.

What Causes Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually caused by a germ known as the Coxsackie virus, which can be transmitted via an infected person’s

• coughs or sneezes

• saliva

• poo

• fluid from HFMD blisters.

Treatment of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

There’s no instant cure for hand, foot and mouth disease, but it usually clears up by itself in 7 to 10 days.

Treatment can be given to help ease the symptoms though. Ask your pharmacist or doctor what kind of pain relief medicine, ulcer gels, sprays or mouthwash are suitable for your baby, toddler or older child.

There are also some home remedies for the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease:

• Make sure your infant gets plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration (but avoid acidic drinks like fruit juices that could sting your little one’s mouth).

• If your child has made the transition to solid foods, give soft foods like soup, mashed potato or purees.

• Cool yoghurt or ice cream might have a soothing effect on mouth sores.

• Avoid giving your child spicy or salty foods.

Potential Complications

To prevent this, make sure your child sips fluid frequently throughout the day while ill.

Signs of dehydration include:

• sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on top of a young baby’s head)

• no tears or few tears when crying

• dry mouth

• fast breathing

• drowsiness

• dark yellow pee, or no pee for 12 hours

• cold, blotchy hands and feet.

It’s very rare, but sometimes a serious form of the virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease can lead to these two complications:

• Encephalitis. A rare, but serious inflammation of the brain.

• Viral meningitis. This causes inflammation of the membranes and fluids surrounding the spinal cord and brain.

When to See a Doctor

Hand, foot and mouth is usually a mild illness and clears up by itself in a week or so. However, there is a small risk of complications. Talk to your doctor or health visitor if you’re worried about any of your child’s symptoms.

Seek medical attention immediately if the symptoms don’t improve in 7 to 10 days or if your child

Prevention

The incubation period for hand, foot and mouth disease (the period when you have the illness but don’t yet show any symptoms yet) is three to seven days. People with hand, foot and mouth disease can be infectious for a few days before showing symptoms, while others can be infected (and spreading the virus) without symptoms at all.

This means it isn’t always possible to avoid everyone who may be carrying the virus that causes HFMD, so good hygiene habits – like handwashing after nappy changes, visits to the toilet or nose blowing – are the best way to keep the risk of infection to a minimum.

Can Your Child Catch HFMD More Than Once?

After having hand, foot and mouth disease, your child is usually immune to the virus that caused the illness, so reinfection is less likely (compared to someone who’s never been infected).

However, different viruses can cause hand, foot and mouth disease so it is possible for someone who’s had the illness to catch it again, if exposed to a different strain of the virus.

The Bottom Line

Hand, Foot and mouth disease is a common infection that usually goes away by itself in a few days. It’s no fun for you or your little one if he or she catches it, but things should return to normal and your baby will be smiling again soon enough.

Meanwhile, do all you can to make sure your child is comfortable and stays hydrated, and don’t hesitate to see a doctor if you’re concerned about any of the symptoms.

How we wrote this article

The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the National Health Service (NHS). You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.