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Are the early signs of hand, foot, and mouth disease severe?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

A 30-year-old male has lesions on his soles, hands, knees, and elbows. He had a fever for two days last week.

Is it suggestive of hand, foot, and mouth disease?

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I saw the pictures you sent (attachments removed to protect the patient’s identity). There are multiple flat red rashes on the hand and foot. Painful blisters with a red rash on the hands and soles in a young child under 5-years can be diagnosed as HFMD (hand, foot, and mouth disease). It rarely affects older children and adults with a weak immune system. HFMD is a self-limiting disease. Usually, it goes away in seven to ten days without any treatment. But in your case, it is an infectious skin condition, so isolate yourself till it gets over.

I suggest you take the tablet Paracetamol 500 mg for fever and apply a topical ointment for mouth blisters. Maintain adequate hydration.

Kindly answer me the following to help you better;

1) For how many days has it been present?

2) Do you have painful blisters in the mouth?

3) Have you noticed any bleeding episodes, like blood in urine?

4) Are there any spontaneous red rashes under your skin? If it is so, the platelet count should be done.

Do a CBC (complete blood count), which includes the platelet count.

I would suggest visiting a local doctor to confirm the diagnosis for HFMD.

Thanks.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I do not have blood in my urine. We have a 1-year-old kid who had the same symptoms a week ago.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

From your history of the illness, HFMD could be the possible diagnosis. Isolate yourself as it is infectious till the disease subsides. How is the child now?

Take care.

Thanks.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At August 21, 2021
Reviewed AtMarch 12, 2026

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