Hand Foot and Mouth

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common illness that affects children and sometimes adults too. Don't worry - it's not the same as the foot and mouth disease that affects farm animals. Most people get better on their own within 7 to 10 days.

What Are the First Signs?

The illness usually starts with:

• A sore throat
• A high temperature (fever)
• Not wanting to eat

A few days later, you might notice:

• Painful sores in the mouth (mouth ulcers)
• A rash of spots on the hands, feet, and sometimes around the bottom and groin area

What Does the Rash Look Like?

The spots can look pink, red, or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on your skin colour. These spots might turn into blisters that can be grey or lighter than the surrounding skin. The blisters might contain fluid and can be painful.

The symptoms are usually mild and are the same whether you're a child or adult.

How Can You Help at Home?

Since this is caused by a virus, antibiotics won't help. The illness gets better on its own, but you can make yourself or your child more comfortable by:

• Drinking cool fluids to soothe the mouth and prevent getting too dry (but avoid acidic drinks like fruit juice as these might sting)
• Eating soft foods like yoghurt and avoiding hot, salty or spicy foods
• Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain from a sore mouth or throat

Your pharmacist can suggest mouth ulcer gels, sprays or mouthwashes to help with pain. They'll know which ones are safe for children.

When Should You Speak to Your GP?

See your GP if:

• Symptoms don't improve after 7 to 10 days
• You're pregnant and think you have hand, foot and mouth disease

Call your GP surgery first before visiting, as they might suggest a phone consultation to avoid spreading the illness.

When Is It Urgent?

Get urgent help from your GP or call NHS 111 if:

• You or your child has a very high temperature, or feels hot, cold or shivery
• You're worried about your child's symptoms
• Your child is weeing less than usual (they might be getting too dry)

How Does It Spread?

Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads easily through:

• Coughs and sneezes
• Poo (when changing nappies)
• The fluid inside blisters

You can catch it more than once, and you might spread it to others even before you feel ill.

How to Stop It Spreading

• Wash hands often with soap and water
• Use tissues when coughing or sneezing, then throw them away quickly
• Don't share towels, cups or cutlery
• Wash dirty bedding and clothes on a hot wash

School and Nursery

Your child can return to school or nursery as soon as they feel well enough. You don't need to wait for all the blisters to heal.

Pregnancy and Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

If you're pregnant, try to avoid close contact with anyone who has this illness. Getting it just before giving birth might mean your baby is born with a mild version. Speak to your GP or midwife if you've been around someone with the illness.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.