What should you know about HFMD and chickenpox?

Hand, foot and mouth disease often causes mouth sores plus small spots or blisters on the hands and feet; the nappy area can also be involved. Chickenpox commonly begins as an itchy rash on the chest, back or face, then develops crops of spots that change into fluid-filled blisters and crusts. New and older lesions may appear together. Fever, reduced appetite and tiredness can occur with either illness, so appearance alone is not always enough.

Avoid sharing cups, towels or utensils, and wash hands after touching saliva, nose mucus or broken blisters. Keep a child away from nursery or school while feverish or unwell and follow local public-health advice about return.

Offer frequent fluids and soft, cool foods if mouth sores make eating uncomfortable. Keep fingernails short and use gentle cleansing; scratching can damage the skin and allow bacterial infection. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on age-appropriate fever or itch relief. Do not give aspirin to a child. If chickenpox is suspected, ask before using medicines that may not be suitable; antiviral treatment is reserved for selected situations and works best when started promptly.

Arrange a GP Consultation if the diagnosis is unclear, the child is very young, fever persists, or drinking and urination fall. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, unusual sleepiness, confusion, a stiff neck, repeated vomiting, severe headache, dehydration, or skin that becomes increasingly hot, swollen and painful. Pregnant people, newborns and anyone with a weakened immune system should seek prompt clinical advice after possible chickenpox exposure.

Ask whether the pattern fits Chickenpox or hand, foot and mouth disease, how long to stay away from group settings, which symptom medicines suit the person’s age, and whether close contacts need advice about Chickenpox Vaccination.