Hand, foot and mouth itchy feet: what to know

Hand, foot and mouth disease may produce small lesions on the feet together with hand changes, mouth sores, and a short-lived fever. Itching can be mild or prominent, and scratching may break the surface and invite infection. Itchy feet without mouth or hand symptoms can have other explanations, including Athlete's Foot, Contact Dermatitis, or Dyshidrotic Eczema. The pattern between the toes, on the soles, or along the sides of the feet, plus any scaling, peeling, or tiny grouped blisters, helps a clinician narrow the possibilities.

Rinse gently with lukewarm water, pat dry, and use cool compresses for short periods. Keep nails short and cover the area lightly at night if scratching is difficult to control. Wear breathable shoes and clean socks, and avoid fragranced creams or harsh antiseptics. Do not use a steroid or antifungal product on a child without suitable advice. If a clinician identifies a fungal cause, they may discuss Topical Antifungal Treatment; its use depends on the diagnosis and the person’s age.

Get medical advice if itching prevents sleep, walking, or drinking, or if the skin cracks, oozes, becomes hot, or develops increasing pain. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, marked sleepiness, a stiff neck, or signs of dehydration such as very little urine and a dry mouth. Have persistent or recurrent itchy feet examined, particularly when the rash is limited to the feet or other household members have similar itching.

Do the lesions and symptoms fit hand, foot and mouth disease? Could this instead be fungal infection, irritation, or eczema? Which cleanser and moisturiser are suitable? What should we do if a blister opens, and when should the feet be rechecked?