Hand foot and mouth blisters on adults

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infection that causes mouth ulcers and spots on the hands and feet.

It's most common in young children – particularly those under 10 – but can affect older children and adults as well.

Hand, foot and mouth disease can be unpleasant, but it will usually clear up by itself within 7 to 10 days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

The infection is not related to foot and mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep and pigs.

Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease

The symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease usually develop between 3 and 5 days after being exposed to the infection.

The first symptoms may include:

• a high temperature (fever), usually around 38°C to 39°C (100.4-102.2°F)
• a general sense of feeling unwell
• loss of appetite
• coughing
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• a sore throat and mouth 

Mouth ulcers

After 1 or 2 days, red spots appear on the tongue and inside the mouth.

These quickly develop into larger yellow-grey mouth ulcers with red edges.

The ulcers can be painful and make eating, drinking and swallowing difficult. They should pass within a week.

Spotty rash and blisters

Soon after the mouth ulcers appear, you'll probably notice a rash made up of small, raised red spots on the skin.

These typically develop on the fingers, the backs or palms of the hand, the soles of the feet, and occasionally on the buttocks and groin.

The spots may then turn into small blisters with a grey centre.

The spots and blisters can sometimes be itchy or uncomfortable and typically last up to 10 days.

What to do if you or your child has hand, foot and mouth disease

If you have hand, foot and mouth disease, the best thing to do is to stay at home until you're feeling better. There's no cure for it, so you have to let it run its course.

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Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious disease that is caused by different viruses. It usually affects infants and children under 5 years old, occasionally adults will also get the disease. Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever, painful blister-like sores in the mouth, and a rash that may appear as blisters. It is usually a mild disease, and nearly all infected people recover in 7 to 10 days.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads through close personal contact, such as kissing or hugging, coughing and sneezing, contact with feces (poop), and touching objects or surfaces that have the virus on them then putting your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth.

Viruses that cause hand, foot, and mouth disease occur worldwide and are more common in summer and fall in temperate climates. Large, severe outbreaks affecting thousands of people occur frequently in some countries in Asia. 

There is no vaccine to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease but you can take steps to lower your risk of getting it.

Wash your hands:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who are sick.

Disinfect dirty surfaces and soiled items:

• If you are able, first wash items with soap and water, then disinfect them with a solution of chlorine bleach (made by mixing 1 tablespoon of bleach with 4 cups of water) or a cleaning product that contains bleach.

If you develop mouth sores and think you have hand, foot, and mouth disease:

• Take over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and fever.
  • Children should not take aspirin.
• Use mouthwashes or sprays that numb mouth pain.
• Drink plenty of liquids to stay hydrated.
• Seek medical care if
  • Your child is not drinking enough to stay hydrated
  • Symptoms do not improve after 10 days
  • Your child has a weakened immune system
  • Symptoms are severe
  • Your child is very young, especially younger than 6 months

If you traveled and feel sick, particularly if you have a fever, talk to a healthcare provider and tell them about your travel. 

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