What to know about hand, foot and mouth disease in children

Children may develop a sore throat, reduced appetite and small painful ulcers in the mouth. Spots or blisters can appear on the palms, soles, fingers, toes or around the nappy area. The illness spreads through respiratory droplets, saliva, fluid from blisters and stool, particularly when children share close spaces.

Most children improve with supportive care. Mouth pain can make drinking difficult, so watch hydration rather than focusing only on the rash. The appearance can overlap with other childhood illnesses; a clinician can assess the child when the diagnosis is uncertain or symptoms are severe.

Offer frequent sips of cool water or milk and soft foods that are easy to swallow. Avoid acidic drinks, spicy foods and rough textures if they sting the mouth. Use age-appropriate pain or fever medicine only as directed by a clinician or the product instructions. Wash hands after nappy changes and toilet use, clean shared surfaces and do not share cups, cutlery or towels.

Arrange medical advice if the child drinks very little, urinates much less, has a dry mouth, becomes unusually sleepy or has fever that concerns you. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, confusion, a seizure, severe weakness, a rapidly worsening rash, or inability to swallow fluids. Keep the child away from school or childcare while they are unwell and follow local attendance guidance.

Ask how to judge hydration, which pain medicine is suitable for the child’s age, when they can return to childcare, and whether another illness should be considered if the rash or fever changes.