HFMD rash description: what it may look and feel like

Note the colour, texture, borders, symmetry, and whether the rash is limited to one area or spreading. It may be dry, moist, warm, swollen, tender, or itchy. A rash after a new soap, cosmetic, plant, medicine, or food can reflect irritation or an allergic response. Other patterns can occur with eczema, psoriasis, fungal infection, scabies, heat, or skin-fold inflammation; appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

Take clear photos in good light and record when the change began, where it started, and what touched the skin beforehand. Wash gently with lukewarm water, pat dry, avoid scratching, and pause newly introduced fragranced products. Do not share towels, clothing, or bedding while an infectious cause remains possible. A clinician may need to examine the skin and review medicines and exposures.

Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, faintness, rapidly blistering or peeling skin, severe pain, or a rash involving the eyes or mouth. Arrange prompt medical assessment for fever with a rapidly spreading rash, pus, red streaks, marked warmth, or a painful rash. Get advice if the rash keeps returning or does not settle after removing a suspected irritant.

Could the shape and distribution fit eczema, contact dermatitis, a drug rash, heat rash, psoriasis, ringworm, or scabies? Which products should I stop, and what symptoms would require same-day review?