Spot Symptoms Of Hand Foot Mouth Disease

Your child has suddenly stopped eating. She complains of a sore throat. You take her temperature and she has a fever. You suspect strep throat. While you are waiting to get into the pediatrician, you notice that she has sores in her mouth and on her throat. She also has an ugly rash on her skin. What is this? Chances are that she has hand, foot and mouth disease, one of the common childhood diseases. Here are some common symptoms to look for when trying to spot hand, foot and mouth disease.

Instructions

1. Notice if your child suddenly loses an interest in eating and feels poorly overall. Listlessness and a lack of appetite are the first symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease.

2. Take your child's temperature. A fever is usually the second symptom of hand, foot and mouth disease.

3. Ask your child if she has a sore throat. If she does, look in her mouth. See if there are any sores in her mouth. The sores from hand, foot and mouth disease start as red spots on the tongue, throat, cheeks and gums, but they may advance into open blisters.

4. Watch for a skin rash. A red, raised rash on the skin is common. It may show up on the child's bottom as well as the child's hands and the soles of her feet. The rash from hand, foot, and mouth disease does not itch. An itchy rash is a sign that it is another condition.

5. Keep your child away from other children if you notice these symptoms. Schedule a doctor's appointment so that your child can get some medication to soothe the painful rash. Remember that hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus, so it will not respond to antibiotics.

Tags: mouth disease, foot mouth, hand foot mouth, your child, foot mouth disease, hand foot