Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Children: What Parents Should Know

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common childhood illness that causes mouth ulcers and a distinctive rash on the hands and feet. If your child is unwell with these symptoms, you're probably wondering what's going on and what you should do. Here's what Wakefield parents need to know about recognising the condition, supporting recovery, and knowing when to seek help.

This is general information to help you understand hand, foot and mouth disease. For specific advice about your child, always speak to your pharmacist or GP.

What Is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease?

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is caused by a group of viruses, most commonly the coxsackievirus. It's important to know that it's not related to the foot and mouth disease that affects farm animals — the names are similar but the conditions are completely separate.

The illness is generally mild and self-limiting, meaning it clears up on its own within seven to ten days. Most children recover fully without complications. It's most common in children under ten, though it can occasionally affect adults as well. Read more about HFMD on the NHS website.

Recognising Symptoms and How It Spreads

Hand, foot and mouth disease typically starts with general unwellness. Your child might have a temperature, a sore throat, and reduced appetite for a day or two before the more distinctive signs appear.

Within one to two days, mouth ulcers usually develop on the tongue and inside the cheeks. These can be painful and may make eating and drinking uncomfortable. Your child might drool more than usual or seem reluctant to eat — this is often a clue that the mouth is sore.

A few days later, a rash develops on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The spots may also appear on the fingers, toes, and occasionally the buttocks. These often develop into small, fluid-filled blisters. Unlike chickenpox, the blisters are usually not itchy but can be tender to touch.

Not every child will show all of these symptoms. Some children have a very mild case with only a few spots and minimal discomfort.

How it spreads

Hand, foot and mouth disease is highly contagious, particularly in the first five days after symptoms appear. It spreads through close personal contact, coughing and sneezing, contact with the fluid from blisters, contact with contaminated surfaces and objects, and the faeces of infected individuals (which is why nursery and childcare outbreaks are common). This is normal — it's not a sign of poor hygiene standards.

Good hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to reduce spread. Encourage thorough handwashing with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet, after nappy changes, and before eating.

Supporting Your Child at Home

There is no specific antiviral treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease — the illness needs to run its course. However, there are practical ways to help your child feel more comfortable during recovery.

Fluids and food

Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids. Cool water is ideal. If mouth ulcers make drinking painful, try offering drinks through a straw, or offer ice lollies (which can numb the sore mouth and hydrate at the same time).

Soft, bland foods are easier to manage than anything acidic, spicy, crunchy, or hot. Think porridge, yoghurt, mashed potato, pasta, or soup that's cooled to a comfortable temperature. Avoid foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and anything salty that might sting the sores.

Managing pain and fever

If your child has a temperature or seems uncomfortable, speak to your pharmacist about suitable remedies for their age. Over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers can help, but dosing depends on your child's age and weight — your pharmacist or GP can advise you on what's appropriate.

Mouth ulcer treatments are available over the counter and can ease the discomfort from oral sores. Your pharmacist can recommend a suitable product for your child.

Rest

Keep your child comfortable and rested while their body fights off the virus. Most children recover fully within seven to ten days without any complications.

When to See Your Pharmacist or GP

Your pharmacist at Kingfisher Pharmacy in Wakefield can offer advice on managing your child's symptoms and help you decide if further help is needed. If you're unsure whether your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, or if you need guidance on suitable remedies, visiting the pharmacy is a good first step. Find out when to visit your pharmacy instead of calling NHS 111.

Contact your GP or NHS 111 if:

• Your child is not drinking enough fluids and you are worried about dehydration
• Symptoms are not improving after ten days
• Your child has a very high temperature that is not responding to pain relief medication
• The skin around the blisters becomes red, swollen, or hot to the touch (this may suggest a secondary infection like impetigo)
• You are concerned about a very young baby or a child with a weakened immune system
• Your child develops difficulty breathing or swallowing (though this is rare)

Managing at School, Nursery, and Home

School and nursery

There is no official requirement to keep your child off school or nursery with hand, foot and mouth disease. However, many settings ask that children stay home until they are feeling well enough to participate fully. Check your child's specific school or nursery policy.

The condition is most contagious in the first few days when your child has a temperature and is feeling particularly unwell. Keeping them at home during this period is sensible and helps reduce spread to other children.

Preventing spread at home

If your child has hand, foot and mouth disease, these steps help reduce the risk of it spreading to other family members:

• Wash hands regularly with soap and water, especially after nappy changes, toileting, and before meals
• Avoid sharing cups, cutlery, toothbrushes, towels, and flannels
• Clean surfaces and toys regularly with soap and water or appropriate disinfectant
• Try to avoid close contact like kissing while your child has blisters

It's worth noting that adults can catch hand, foot and mouth disease too, though it tends to be milder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is hand, foot and mouth disease serious? A: Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually mild and self-limiting. Most children recover fully within seven to ten days without complications. However, if you're worried about your child's symptoms — particularly if they're not drinking enough, have a very high fever, or show signs of secondary infection — contact your GP or NHS 111.

Q: Can my child go to school or nursery with hand, foot and mouth disease? A: There's no official requirement to keep them home, but many settings ask children to stay home while unwell. The illness is most contagious in the first five days. Check your school or nursery's specific policy.

Q: How can I prevent hand, foot and mouth disease? A: There is no vaccine for hand, foot and mouth disease. Prevention relies on good hygiene: regular handwashing, particularly after toileting and nappy changes, and before eating. Avoid sharing food, cups, and cutlery.

Q: What should I feed my child if they have hand, foot and mouth disease? A: Soft, bland, cool foods are best. Think porridge, yoghurt, mashed potato, scrambled eggs, or cooled soup. Avoid anything acidic, spicy, hot, or crunchy, as these can irritate mouth ulcers. Ice lollies are particularly helpful as they numb the mouth and provide hydration.

Q: When should I contact my GP? A: Contact your GP if your child is not drinking enough fluids, symptoms haven't improved after ten days, they have a very high fever that isn't responding to medication, the skin around blisters looks infected (red, swollen, hot), or if you're concerned about a very young baby or child with a weakened immune system.

Q: Is hand, foot and mouth disease contagious? A: Yes, it's highly contagious, particularly in the first five days after symptoms appear. It spreads through respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes), contact with blister fluid, and contaminated surfaces. Good handwashing is the most effective prevention measure.

Q: Can my child use Pharmacy First for hand, foot and mouth disease? A: Hand, foot and mouth disease isn't one of the seven conditions covered by the NHS Pharmacy First service. However, your pharmacist can still give you advice on managing symptoms, suitable remedies, and when to see your GP. Learn more about Pharmacy First for children.

Visit Kingfisher Pharmacy in Wakefield if your child is showing symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease or if you'd like advice on managing any childhood illness. Our team can help you find suitable remedies and offer guidance on when further medical attention may be needed. We're here to support you.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your pharmacist or GP for advice specific to your child.