Hand, foot and mouth rash pictures: what to look for

The rash may appear on the palms, soles, fingers, toes, or sides of the feet. Lesions can be flat, raised, or blister-like, and they may occur with mouth sores and fever. Images can miss tenderness, dehydration, fever, exposure history, and how quickly the skin changed. Skin colour and lighting also alter how redness appears. Other conditions, including Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Drug Rash, Heat Rash, Intertrigo, Psoriasis, Ringworm, and Scabies, may resemble part of a photographed rash.

If you photograph a rash for a clinician, use good natural light, include one wider image showing its location, and one closer image showing texture. Do not share identifiable images publicly. Keep lesions clean, avoid scratching or popping blisters, and use loose clothing. Record when the rash began, whether fever or mouth sores appeared, and any new medicines or products. A clinician may still need to examine the skin and mouth in person.

Seek prompt care if the person cannot drink, urinates much less, or is unusually sleepy. Urgent assessment is needed for breathing difficulty, a stiff neck, severe drowsiness, or a rash that becomes rapidly painful, swollen, hot, or pus-filled. Do not wait for a photograph to change when a young infant or someone with reduced immunity is affected.

Which features in this photo support or argue against hand, foot and mouth disease? Does the mouth need examination? Should we send another image if the rash changes? What care is suitable for blisters, and which changes require urgent review?