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Hand, foot and mouth disease on the face

How the structures involved in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease differ from normal
Illustration: How the structures involved in Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease differ from normal

Short answer

Hand, foot and mouth disease can cause spots or blisters around the mouth and painful sores inside it, while facial involvement may vary from child to child.

This answers one question. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an assessment by a licensed doctor.

At a glance

Possible facial changes
Spots or blisters around the mouth and irritation from saliva
Mouth involvement
Painful ulcers may affect eating and drinking

What the face may look like

Facial changes can include small red spots, fluid-filled blisters, or irritated skin near the lips and nose. Mouth ulcers may make eating, drinking, swallowing, or speaking uncomfortable. The typical illness can also cause a rash on the hands and feet, but not every child has the same distribution.

Saliva can irritate skin around the mouth, especially when a child is drooling. Scratching or rubbing can break the skin and allow a secondary bacterial infection, so watch for increasing warmth, swelling, pus, or worsening tenderness.

Caring for the area

Gently rinse the face with lukewarm water and pat it dry. Keep nails short and discourage picking at blisters. Offer cool drinks and soft foods for mouth pain, and avoid products that sting or unapproved creams on broken skin. Wash hands before and after touching the affected area.

When to seek care

Arrange a child health consultation if facial spots are spreading quickly, the diagnosis is unclear, or mouth pain is limiting fluids. Seek urgent help for swelling that affects breathing or swallowing, severe dehydration, marked sleepiness, confusion, or a seizure.

Questions for your doctor

Ask whether the facial changes fit hand, foot and mouth disease, how to protect irritated skin, and which treatment is suitable for mouth pain or itching.

Find care

General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi

That answer is general. If you want it applied to your own case, these are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.

City
See every listing in Abu Dhabi

Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.

A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.

Questions people ask

Does hand, foot and mouth disease always affect the face?

No. Some children have facial spots or mouth sores, while others mainly have changes on the hands, feet, or other skin.

Should facial blisters be popped?

No. Leave blisters intact where possible, keep the skin clean, and seek advice if redness, swelling, pus, or tenderness increases.

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Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.