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🖐️ Childhood illness guide

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Mouth ulcers and a spotty rash on hands and feet — unrelated to the farm-animal disease

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By Emma Whitfield · Pregnancy & Baby Writer

What it is

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that can also affect adults. Despite the name, it isn't the same as foot-and-mouth disease in farm animals, and it isn't linked to it.

Symptoms

  • First stage: sore throat, high temperature, not wanting to eat
  • Second stage: mouth ulcers, which can be painful
  • A raised, spotty rash on the hands and feet, sometimes the groin or bottom too

How long it lasts

Usually gets better on its own in 7-10 days. It's infectious from a few days before symptoms appear, and most infectious in the first 5 days after symptoms start.

What helps at home

  • Give cool fluids to soothe the mouth and prevent dehydration — avoid acidic drinks
  • Offer soft foods like yoghurt; avoid hot, salty or spicy food
  • Give paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease pain

See a GP if

  • Symptoms have not improved after 7-10 days
  • You're pregnant and get hand, foot and mouth disease symptoms

Get help from NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment if:

  • You or your child has a very high temperature, or feels hot, cold or shivery
  • You're worried about your child's symptoms
  • Your child is peeing less than usual — a possible sign of dehydration

Contagious period & nursery/school

Keep your child off nursery or school while they're feeling too unwell, and let them return once they're feeling better — the NHS doesn't give a fixed number of days.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: common questions

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that can also affect adults. Despite the name, it isn't the same as foot-and-mouth disease in farm animals, and it isn't linked to it. Usually gets better on its own in 7-10 days. It's infectious from a few days before symptoms appear, and most infectious in the first 5 days after symptoms start. This is general information, not a diagnosis — see a GP or call NHS 111 if you're unsure.

What are the symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease?

First stage: sore throat, high temperature, not wanting to eat Second stage: mouth ulcers, which can be painful A raised, spotty rash on the hands and feet, sometimes the groin or bottom too

When should I get urgent help for hand, foot and mouth disease?

Get help from NHS 111 or an urgent GP appointment if: You or your child has a very high temperature, or feels hot, cold or shivery You're worried about your child's symptoms Your child is peeing less than usual — a possible sign of dehydration

Sources & further reading

This is general information sourced from NHS.uk, not medical advice or a diagnostic tool. Every child is different — if you're at all worried, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or in an emergency call 999. Reviewed July 2026.