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Hand, foot and mouth disease in children

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

In children, hand, foot and mouth disease is a contagious viral illness causing fever, mouth sores and a rash.

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

At a glance

Cause
A virus
Common features
Fever, mouth sores and skin spots or blisters

How it may look in a child

A child may first seem tired, irritable or less interested in food. Small painful sores can develop inside the mouth, while spots or blisters may appear on the palms, soles, fingers, toes, legs or around the bottom. Symptoms vary, and not every child develops every feature. The condition is different from foot-and-mouth disease in livestock.

Helping your child

Give regular sips of suitable fluids and choose cool, soft foods when the mouth is sore. Let the child rest, keep hands clean, and avoid sharing cups, utensils or towels. Do not pop blisters. Check the child's drinking and urination because mouth pain can make dehydration easier to miss.

Warning signs

Arrange medical advice if the child is drinking poorly, has ongoing fever, or you are unsure whether the rash is from this illness. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, a seizure, marked drowsiness, severe worsening headache, or very little urine.

Questions to bring

Ask how to relieve mouth pain, whether the child should stay away from nursery, and which symptoms would require same-day review.

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 every child get spots on the hands and feet?

No. The rash pattern varies, and some children have only a few visible spots or mainly mouth symptoms.

Can a child eat normally with this illness?

Mouth sores may make eating uncomfortable, so cool fluids and soft foods can be more manageable.

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.