What should you know about HFMD rash?

Hand, foot and mouth disease commonly produces small red spots or blisters on the hands and feet, with painful mouth ulcers and sometimes fever. A rash without that combination may reflect Atopic Dermatitis, Contact Dermatitis, Heat Rash, Intertrigo, Psoriasis, Ringworm, Scabies or a Drug Rash. Clues include whether the rash is scaly, ring-shaped, confined to skin folds, worse after sweating, intensely itchy at night, or linked to a new medicine or product. A photograph and a timeline can help a clinician.

Use lukewarm water, a gentle fragrance-free cleanser and loose clothing. Keep nails short, avoid scratching, and pause newly introduced creams, cosmetics or detergents until the cause is clearer. Do not share towels or clothing if infection is possible. Record new medicines, foods, products, travel and contact with unwell people. Treatment depends on the cause, so avoid using several active creams at once without advice.

Seek urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, faintness, purple or non-blanching spots, skin peeling, painful widespread blisters, eye involvement, confusion or a very unwell appearance. Arrange clinical review when fever persists, the rash spreads quickly, becomes painful or infected, or follows a new medicine. Children, pregnant people and people with reduced immunity should have a lower threshold for advice.

Ask what features support HFMD versus another diagnosis, whether any medicine should be stopped safely, how to protect household contacts, and which symptoms require same-day care.