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What is a Hand, Foot & Mouth Rash?

Hand-foot-mouth disease is a viral infection that is commonly found in babies and young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One of the most common symptoms of the infection is a skin rash.

  1. Risk Factors

    • Children who go to daycares or are under 10 years old are the most at risk for developing a hand-foot-mouth disease rash, according to the Mayo Clinic. The viruses that cause hand-foot-mouth disease can be spread through nasal and throat emissions, saliva and feces, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.

    Onset

    • People with hand-foot-mouth disease often develop an itchy rash between three and seven days after being infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The organization also states that the rash often comprises flat or raised red bumps, which often appear on people's palms, soles, flank or genitals.

    Related Symptoms

    • People with a hand-foot-mouth rash often develop a rash one to two days after developing other symptoms, such as malaise, a sore throat, a fever or oral lesions, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Diagnosis

    • Usually doctors can diagnose hand-foot-mouth disease based on patients' symptoms, especially their skin rash and lesions, according to an article by pediatrician Jay Mersch on MedicineNetcom.

    Treatment

    • A skin rash and other symptoms of the infection generally go away in five to seven days, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to reduce symptoms of the infection, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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