08/08/2025
I hear that hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) is going around again. What exactly is it, and what do you need to know?
HFMD is caused by a virus that tends to circulate in the warmer months of the year. It begins with a couple days of sore throat, fatigue, and fever. 🤒 Next, mouth sores and a skin rash occur. You may notice bumps, blisters, and/or shallow skin ulcers on the palms, soles, arms, legs, and buttocks. These are typically not itchy or painful, but can cause a little discomfort when the blisters break open. The skin rash lasts up to 2 weeks and then resolves completely.
Since the source of HFMC is a virus, antibiotics will not help. No specific labs or tests need to be done. Your job is to keep your child hydrated and comfortable while their body does all of the work. 👧
Mouth ulcers can be quite painful, so use Tylenol or Ibuprofen as needed to encourage your children to drink. Remember that a sick child may not want to eat solid food for several days, which is actually okay. Focus on getting them to drink enough to urinate at LEAST three times per day.
Unfortunately, it is possible to get HFMD more than once. Adults can catch it, too. It is spread through coughing, sneezing, and direct contact with nasal secretions, saliva, blister fluid, or stool. 😷 A child is most contagious during the first week of illness, but they can continue to shed the virus for several weeks.
How can we prevent spread? Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after changing diapers or using the toilet. 🚽 Cover your mouth with every cough or sneeze. Disinfect hard surfaces and soiled items, including toys. Avoid close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing of utensils with sick family members or friends. Children should stay home from daycare or school until fever has resolved and all skin blisters have dried up.
HFMD can cause peeling of the hands and feet or odd fingernail changes once the infection starts to resolve. 😞 Fingernails can even fall off completely, but they grow back without treatment. Pregnant women should avoid HFMD exposure whenever possible due to rare health risks to her unborn baby.
Rare complications of HFMD can occur, so bring your child in if they are acting extremely ill or showing signs of confusion, lethargy, pale skin, labored breathing, headache, stiff neck, refusal to drink, etc. Babies less than 3 months of age should also seek medical care. 👶
Much like a common cold, the vast majority of children get better from HFMD all on their own without any issues. Just stay calm, wash your hands, and keep your little one hydrated. 🙌
Primary source: Ventora D, Bordone L, Silverberg N. Update on hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Clinical Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;33(3):340-6.
