Hand, foot and mouth disease
- Dr Adrian Raby, General Practitioner at Bupa
- Julia Ebbens, Health Content Editor
Key points
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a common viral illness in children. Adults can get it too. If your child is well they don’t need to miss school.
- Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by a virus that can be easily spread.
- Early symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, and pain in your tummy. Later, you get mouth ulcers and blisters on your hands and feet.
- The infection is usually mild and clears up in around seven to 10 days. But contact your doctor if you’re worried about any symptoms.
What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood viral illness. You get blisters on your hands and feet, and ulcers in your mouth. You usually recover within a week or two. It is not related to foot and mouth disease, which only affects cattle, sheep and pigs. It’s most common in children under 10, especially those under four. Most adults are immune from contact with the disease as children. In the UK, it’s most common in the late summer and early autumn.
Causes of hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually caused by a group of viruses called the coxsackieviruses. The most common is coxsackie virus A16.
A more severe form is caused by a virus called enterovirus 71 (EV71). But this isn’t common in the UK.
How do you catch hand, foot, and mouth disease?
The viruses spread through:
- coughing
- sneezing
- direct contact with fluid from blisters
You are most contagious while you still have blisters and mouth ulcers – which usually last for seven to 10 days. But the virus can be passed in your poo for up to 2 months. So you need to wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilet. You may also be infectious for a few days before the rash appears, which makes the spread of the infection hard to control.
Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth symptoms usually appear three to seven days after infection and last for around seven to 10 days.
What are the stages of hand, foot, and mouth disease?
For the first few days, you may feel generally unwell with:
- fever
- sore throat
- cough
- loss of appetite
- pain in your abdomen (tummy)
Early symptoms are similar to many other viral infections. Within a few days you may get symptoms more typical of hand, foot, and mouth disease. These include:
- blisters or ulcers in your mouth
- spots or blisters on your hands and feet
Mouth ulcers and blisters usually develop within a couple of days of feeling unwell. They’re most common on the roof of your mouth, the inside of your cheek and your tongue.
After getting mouth blisters, spots and blisters then develop soon on your hands and feet. They tend to appear on the backs of your hands, the sides of your fingers, and the heels of your feet. And less commonly they can appear on the palm of your hands and soles of your feet. Blisters often ulcerate (break down) and crust over. They can also be painful or itchy.
The rash is found more in younger children and babies. The rash often appears on the buttocks and groin. Older children may just have spots and blisters in and around their mouths.
Are hand, foot and mouth disease and chickenpox different?
The main difference is where you get the blisters. With hand, foot and mouth disease, you tend to get blisters on your hands and feet, and blisters or ulcers in your mouth. With chickenpox, you’ll usually get spots all over your body, face, scalp, arms and legs.
Image showing blisters on a child's hand and mouth ulcers caused by hand, foot and mouth disease
Seeking help for hand, foot and mouth disease
Usually, you don’t need to see your GP especially if hand, foot, and mouth disease is going round your child’s school or nursery. But if your child gets more unwell or if you’re unsure of their symptoms, contact your GP surgery for advice.
Your GP will check the spots or blisters on your body and ulcers in your mouth to see if you have hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Under 18 GP Appointments
We now offer GP appointments for children aged children under 18 via our remote video service (UK wide) and face to face appointments at selected centres. Please note that these appointments cannot be booked online so please call 0330 822 3072 for more information or to book. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm. We may record and monitor our calls. Available from £49.
To book or to make an enquiry, call us on 0343 253 8381∧
Self-help for hand, foot and mouth disease
There’s no specific hand, foot, and mouth disease treatment. Antibiotics won’t work because the infection is from a virus, not bacteria. Here are some self-help tips to help with symptoms.
- Stay hydrated.
- Eat soft foods such as soup or yoghurt if you have painful mouth ulcers.
- Children may find it easier to use a straw or have ice lollies.
- Take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or fever.
- Try teething gels for babies, and dental gels and mouthwashes for older children and adults. Check labels carefully to see if it’s suitable for your child’s age.
Always read the patient information with your medicine ask a pharmacist if you need any advice.
Should my child miss school if they have hand, foot, and mouth disease?
Official guidance says children don’t need to be kept away from nursery or school if they feel well. But it’s best to check with your child’s nursery or school what their rules and policies are.
Complications of hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is usually mild, but below are some possible complications.
- Dehydration. Blisters in your mouth might make drinking painful. Young children can easily get dehydrated. If you think your child is dehydrated, contact your doctor.
- Blisters becoming infected. If your skin becomes very red and you develop a high temperature, see a doctor.
More serious complications are much rarer, and are generally related to hand, foot, and mouth disease from enterovirus 71 (EV71). This type is rare in the UK. If you or your child become more unwell or don’t feel better after a week, contact a doctor for advice.
What happens if I get hand, foot, and mouth disease when pregnant?
Doctors don’t think hand, foot, and mouth disease affects your developing baby. But if you get it within three weeks before you’re due to give birth, you could pass it your new-born baby. You should avoid close contact with anyone who’s infected when you’re pregnant. If you have symptoms talk to your midwife or GP for advice.
Prevention of hand, foot and mouth disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease spreads very easily. Take the following measures to reduce the risk of spreading it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating and after using the toilet.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze – use a tissue and wash your hands afterwards.
- Clean contaminated surfaces with bleach (If you use bleach on a changing mat, rinse it off afterwards).
- Throw away used tissues and nappies.
- Wash soiled clothing, towels, and bedding on a hot machine wash with laundry bleach.
- Don’t share cups, utensils or towels with people who are infected.
- Don’t deliberately squeeze or pierce blisters.
- Try to avoid contact with other people - especially pregnant women while you have symptoms.
Watch our video on how to wash your hands effectively in 20 seconds. This prevents germs, including viruses, from spreading.
Parents and carers might also find it helpful to watch Bupa’s short animation about germs. They can watch it with their child. The animation is for primary school-aged children, to help them understand the importance of hygiene.
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This information was published by Bupa's Health Content Team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been reviewed by appropriate medical or clinical professionals and deemed accurate on the date of review. Photos are only for illustrative purposes and do not reflect every presentation of a condition.
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