Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral infection that most often affects children under the age of 5. It is caused by coxsackievirus, and is characterized by blisters in the mouth, hands and feet.
If you suspect that your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, you can contact Dr. Dropin for advice and assessment. We offer both video consultations and consultations at our clinics.
Book an appointmentBlisters: Painful blisters or sores in the mouth, tongue, palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Fever: A mild fever is common, but not everyone gets it.
Sore throat: May make swallowing difficult.
Decreased appetite: The child may be less hungry than usual.
Rash: Some children also get a mild rash on the bottom or other parts of the body.
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Hand, foot and mouth disease usually resolves on its own within 7-10 days.
Relief of symptoms:
Pain: Give painkillers such as paracetamol (follow the dosage instructions on the package).
Sore throat: Give the child cold drinks and soft food.
Fever: Give antipyretic medicine if necessary.
Contact a doctor or Dr. Dropin if:
Good hand hygiene: Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after going to the toilet and changing nappies.
Avoid close contact: Avoid sharing food, drink and toys with sick people.
Disinfection: Wash surfaces and toys regularly.
Video consultation: Get a quick assessment of your child's symptoms via video consultation.
Consultation at the clinic: Get a thorough examination and advice on treatment at one of our clinics.
Read more about rashes in childrenBook an appointment
If the child is in bad shape, has a fever, cries, expresses pain or discomfort, does not want to eat or drink anything in particular, is lethargic - then you should contact a doctor for a quick assessment
If the child is in bad shape, has a fever, cries, expresses pain or discomfort, does not want to eat or drink anything in particular, is lethargic - then you should contact a doctor for a quick assessment
If there is an outbreak of chicken pox in the nursery and you are sure that your child has been infected, all you have to do is keep the child at home until all the sores have dried up.
If the child seems to be in bad shape, has a high fever, etc., you should contact a doctor for an assessment
If you are in doubt as to whether it is chicken pox or not, it might also be good to have an examination by a doctor, so you will know for another time whether the child has had this or not.
If there is an outbreak of chicken pox in the nursery and you are sure that your child has been infected, all you have to do is keep the child at home until all the sores have dried up.
If the child seems to be in bad shape, has a high fever, etc., you should contact a doctor for an assessment
If you are in doubt as to whether it is chicken pox or not, it might also be good to have an examination by a doctor, so you will know for another time whether the child has had this or not.
Heredity plays a significant role in the development of atopic eczema, yes, and if one of the parents has had this, there is a higher risk of their children also developing it.
Heredity plays a significant role in the development of atopic eczema, yes, and if one of the parents has had this, there is a higher risk of their children also developing it.
Some types of rash can be contagious, so it is always a good idea to get an assessment from a doctor if you are in doubt.
Some types of rash can be contagious, so it is always a good idea to get an assessment from a doctor if you are in doubt.
Rashes are changes in the skin's colour, texture or appearance, and may be red, itchy, oozing or raised.
Rashes are changes in the skin's colour, texture or appearance, and may be red, itchy, oozing or raised.
Viral infections (measles, rubella, chicken pox), bacterial infections (scarlet fever, chicken pox), allergic reactions (food allergy, eczema), heat rash, nappy rash and insect bites.
Viral infections (measles, rubella, chicken pox), bacterial infections (scarlet fever, chicken pox), allergic reactions (food allergy, eczema), heat rash, nappy rash and insect bites.
Viral rashes often start on the body and spread, while bacterial rashes are often red and runny. Allergic reactions cause an itchy, red rash, and eczema is dry and itchy. Heat rashes are small, red dots, and insect bites are red and swollen.
Viral rashes often start on the body and spread, while bacterial rashes are often red and runny. Allergic reactions cause an itchy, red rash, and eczema is dry and itchy. Heat rashes are small, red dots, and insect bites are red and swollen.
Contact a doctor immediately if you have rapid breathing, lethargy, high fever, a rash that does not go away when you press on it, a rash in the mouth/eyes, severe pain or swelling in the face. Contact a doctor within a short time in case of widespread rash, worsening, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or uncertainty about the cause.
Contact a doctor immediately if you have rapid breathing, lethargy, high fever, a rash that does not go away when you press on it, a rash in the mouth/eyes, severe pain or swelling in the face. Contact a doctor within a short time in case of widespread rash, worsening, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or uncertainty about the cause.
Yes, a video doctor can give advice on milder rashes. If a physical examination is required, you will be referred further.
Yes, a video doctor can give advice on milder rashes. If a physical examination is required, you will be referred further.
Treatment depends on the cause. Cooling baths, moisturizers and antipruritic agents can relieve symptoms. Antibiotics or allergy medicine may be necessary in some cases.
Treatment depends on the cause. Cooling baths, moisturizers and antipruritic agents can relieve symptoms. Antibiotics or allergy medicine may be necessary in some cases.
Good hygiene, avoid overheating, use sunscreen and bug spray, and follow the vaccination programme.
Good hygiene, avoid overheating, use sunscreen and bug spray, and follow the vaccination programme.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease that causes an itchy rash with red dots and blisters. The rash often starts on the body and spreads to the face, arms and legs. The child may also have a fever, headache and be lethargic.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious viral disease that causes an itchy rash with red dots and blisters. The rash often starts on the body and spreads to the face, arms and legs. The child may also have a fever, headache and be lethargic.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that causes blisters in the mouth, hands and feet. The child may also have a fever and a sore throat. The disease is most common in children under 5 years of age.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that causes blisters in the mouth, hands and feet. The child may also have a fever and a sore throat. The disease is most common in children under 5 years of age.
Three-day fever is a viral infection that causes a high fever for 3-4 days, followed by a pale pink rash on the body when the fever subsides. The disease is most common in children under 2 years of age.
Three-day fever is a viral infection that causes a high fever for 3-4 days, followed by a pale pink rash on the body when the fever subsides. The disease is most common in children under 2 years of age.
Fifth childhood disease is a viral infection that causes a red rash on the cheeks ("slapped cheek"), followed by a lace-like rash on the body. The disease is most common in school-aged children.
Fifth childhood disease is a viral infection that causes a red rash on the cheeks ("slapped cheek"), followed by a lace-like rash on the body. The disease is most common in school-aged children.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that causes a red, sandpaper-like rash on the body, often accompanied by fever, sore throat and "raspberry tongue".
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that causes a red, sandpaper-like rash on the body, often accompanied by fever, sore throat and "raspberry tongue".
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It causes oozing sores that crack and form yellow crusts. Impetigo is contagious and most common in children.
Impetigo is a skin infection caused by bacteria. It causes oozing sores that crack and form yellow crusts. Impetigo is contagious and most common in children.
Atopic eczema is a chronic skin disease that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. It is most common in children and can be hereditary.
Atopic eczema is a chronic skin disease that causes dry, itchy and inflamed skin. It is most common in children and can be hereditary.
It is important to contact a doctor to get the correct diagnosis and treatment of rashes in children. The doctor will assess the rash, the child's symptoms and any history of infection to find the cause.
It is important to contact a doctor to get the correct diagnosis and treatment of rashes in children. The doctor will assess the rash, the child's symptoms and any history of infection to find the cause.
Most viral infections that cause rashes in children go away on their own. You can relieve the symptoms with fever-reducing, pain-relieving and anti-itching agents. In the case of bacterial infections, antibiotics may be necessary.
If you are unsure or in doubt, contact a doctor.
Most viral infections that cause rashes in children go away on their own. You can relieve the symptoms with fever-reducing, pain-relieving and anti-itching agents. In the case of bacterial infections, antibiotics may be necessary.
If you are unsure or in doubt, contact a doctor.
You can ease the discomfort of a rash by:
Give the child fever-reducing and pain-relieving medicine (on advice from a doctor or pharmacist).
Cool the skin with cold compresses or a lukewarm bath.
Use anti-itch cream or lotion (on advice from a doctor or pharmacist).
Dress the child in soft, loose-fitting clothes.
Make sure the child gets enough fluids.
You can ease the discomfort of a rash by:
Give the child fever-reducing and pain-relieving medicine (on advice from a doctor or pharmacist).
Cool the skin with cold compresses or a lukewarm bath.
Use anti-itch cream or lotion (on advice from a doctor or pharmacist).
Dress the child in soft, loose-fitting clothes.
Make sure the child gets enough fluids.
When the child can return to kindergarten or school depends on the illness and the child's general condition. In the case of infectious diseases, it is important to follow the doctor's advice to avoid infecting others.
When the child can return to kindergarten or school depends on the illness and the child's general condition. In the case of infectious diseases, it is important to follow the doctor's advice to avoid infecting others.