Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Children: Symptoms, Spread and Care

On this page

• What is hand, foot and mouth disease?
• What does hand, foot and mouth look like?
• How does it spread, and how long is it contagious?
• How long does hand, foot and mouth last?
• Can adults get it? Can you get it twice?
• Hand, foot and mouth vs chickenpox
• Caring for your child at home
• When to see a doctor
• School and childcare: when can they go back?
• How to help prevent the spread
• FAQs

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a common viral illness that mainly affects children under 10, though older children and adults can catch it too. It is usually caused by the coxsackievirus and is most common in childcare settings and households with young children.

It is not the same as foot-and-mouth disease, which affects animals like cows, pigs and sheep and is not caught by people. HFMD is almost always mild and rarely leads to anything serious.

What does hand, foot and mouth look like?

One of the earliest signs is small red spots that turn into blisters and then ulcers. They typically appear inside and around the mouth, on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, and sometimes in the nappy area. Mouth ulcers can make eating and drinking uncomfortable.

Common symptoms include:

• Mouth ulcers and blisters on the hands and feet
• A mild fever
• Sore throat
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite

You can see a photo of the blisters and read more on the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne fact sheet.

How does it spread, and how long is it contagious?

HFMD spreads through close contact with an infected person — fluid from the blisters, saliva, and droplets from coughing and sneezing, as well as contact with contaminated surfaces or nappies. It usually takes three to five days from contact for blisters to appear.

A child is most contagious in the first few days, while they have a fever and fresh blisters. They can remain infectious until the blisters have dried, and the virus can stay in the stool for several weeks afterwards — which is why thorough hand washing after nappy changes and toilet visits matters even once your child feels better.

How long does hand, foot and mouth last?

In most children, hand, foot and mouth disease clears up on its own within 7 to 10 days. The fever usually settles within a few days, and the blisters dry out after that. There is no specific treatment that makes it go faster — care is about comfort and hydration while the virus runs its course.

Can adults get it? Can you get it twice?

Yes to both. Adults can catch hand, foot and mouth disease, especially parents and carers in close contact with an infected child, though it is often milder. And because several different viruses can cause HFMD, a child can catch it more than once — having it once does not give lasting protection against every strain.

Hand, foot and mouth vs chickenpox

Both cause spots and fever, so they are easy to confuse. The pattern of the rash is the clearest difference.

	Hand, foot and mouth	Chickenpox
Where the rash appears	Mouth, hands and feet (sometimes nappy area)	All over the body, including the torso and scalp
What it looks like	Mouth ulcers and small blisters on palms and soles	Very itchy spots that blister, then crust over
Itch	Not usually itchy; mouth can be sore	Typically very itchy
Typical length	About 7–10 days	About 1–2 weeks

If you are not sure which one your child has, your GP can tell them apart. For more on telling childhood rashes apart, see our guide to recognising common childhood illnesses.

Caring for your child at home

There is no specific cure, so the goal is comfort while the illness passes:

• Keep them hydrated. Mouth ulcers can make drinking sore, so offer small, frequent sips of water and cool, soft foods.
• Keep an eye on their temperature. A forehead thermometer makes it easy to check on a fever without disturbing a resting child. For what is normal at different ages, see our guide to a baby's normal temperature and bringing down a toddler's fever.
• Help them feel comfortable. A FeverMates cooling patch can offer a cooling sensation that some children find soothing during a fever. A cooling patch is for comfort only — it does not lower a temperature.
• Pain and fever relief. Your pharmacist or GP can advise whether paracetamol is suitable for your child's age and weight to ease discomfort.
• Leave the blisters alone. Let them dry out naturally — do not burst them, as the fluid inside is infectious.

When to see a doctor

Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually mild, but see your GP or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (or 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84 in Queensland) if your child has:

• A fever of 38 °C or above that lasts 72 hours or more
• Signs of dehydration (very few wet nappies, no tears, drowsiness)
• Rapid breathing or unusual drowsiness
• Difficulty walking, unusual movements or extreme irritability
• A baby under three months with any fever

If your child is seriously unwell — very hard to wake, struggling to breathe, or having a seizure — call 000 straight away.

School and childcare: when can they go back?

Keep your child home until all the blisters have dried, any rash has gone and they no longer have a fever. While they are home, keep them away from other children and from settings where they could pass the virus on. Let your childcare centre or school know, as they may have their own exclusion guidance.

How to help prevent the spread

Good hygiene is the best way to reduce the spread of hand, foot and mouth disease:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and help your child do the same — especially after nappy changes, toilet visits and before eating.
• Use hand sanitiser between washes when soap and water are not handy.
• Avoid sharing cups, utensils, towels and clothing while someone has it.
• Wash soiled clothing and towels on a hot wash.
• Clean frequently touched surfaces and toys.
• Encourage coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow, and bin tissues straight away.
• Keep your child home while they are unwell.

It is worth keeping a few basics on hand for childhood illnesses — a thermometer, hand sanitiser and a first aid kit. You can see the full FeverMates range in our online shop.

Frequently asked questions

What does hand, foot and mouth look like?

It starts as small red spots that become blisters and ulcers, mainly inside the mouth and on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, sometimes in the nappy area. It is usually accompanied by a mild fever and sore throat.

How long is hand, foot and mouth contagious?

Your child is most contagious in the first few days while they have a fever and fresh blisters, and stays infectious until the blisters dry. The virus can remain in the stool for several weeks, so keep washing hands well after nappies and toilet visits.

How long does hand, foot and mouth last?

Most children recover within 7 to 10 days. The fever usually settles within a few days and the blisters dry out after that. There is no specific treatment that speeds it up.

Can adults get hand, foot and mouth?

Yes. Adults can catch it, particularly parents and carers in close contact with an infected child, although it is often milder in adults.

Can you get hand, foot and mouth more than once?

Yes. Several different viruses can cause it, so having it once does not protect your child against every strain — they can catch it again.

Sources

Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne — Hand, foot and mouth disease; healthdirect Australia — Hand, foot and mouth disease; Raising Children Network. Reviewed against Australian guidance.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are worried about your child's health, contact your GP, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, or in an emergency call 000.