# Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: Symptoms, Home Care & When to | Clever Mum

> Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in children — symptoms, how long it lasts, what helps at home, and the NHS's own guidance on when to see a GP or seek urgent help.

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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

  
        [ CP ](/authors/parenting-desk/)   By [ Clever Mum Parenting ](/authors/parenting-desk/) · Parenting guides 

 
 Published 11 July 2026  

      
 
Quick answer — 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 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

 
 *  [ Hand, foot and mouth disease ](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hand-foot-mouth-disease/)  — NHS 
 
   [← Croup](/health/childhood-illnesses/croup/) [All illnesses](/health/childhood-illnesses/) [Ear Infections (Otitis Media) →](/health/childhood-illnesses/ear-infections/)  

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 August 2026.

    
## Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease at a glance

   Typically affects A common childhood illness — can affect adults too  Usual duration 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.  Urgent GP/111 tier See below