Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease in Babies: Signs & Care | Parenting Hub
A common, usually mild viral illness with mouth ulcers and a rash on hands and feet. How to ease symptoms and when to seek help.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is common, contagious and usually mild — but the mouth ulcers can make eating and drinking painful. Here's how to keep baby comfortable.
What it is
Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral illness, most often caused by coxsackievirus. It's not related to foot and mouth disease in animals. Most cases are in children under 5.
Signs
The pattern is usually quite recognisable.
- Mild fever, sore throat and feeling unwell for 1–2 days
- Small blisters or red spots on hands, feet, around the nappy area, sometimes elbows/knees
- Painful ulcers in the mouth and on the tongue
- Reduced eating and drinking due to mouth pain
- Sometimes nail changes a few weeks later
What helps
The illness usually settles in 7–10 days — focus on comfort and fluids.
- Offer plenty of cool fluids — water, milk, breastmilk, icypoles for older babies
- Soft, cool, bland foods (yoghurt, custard) — avoid acidic, salty or spicy
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or fever as directed
- Keep skin lesions clean and dry; they don't usually itch
- Wash hands often and keep baby home from childcare until blisters dry
When to see a doctor
See your GP if your baby isn't drinking, has fewer wet nappies, the rash is widespread or weeping, or symptoms last more than 10 days.
When to seek urgent care
Signs of dehydration, drowsiness, stiff neck, or fever in a baby under 3 months need same-day assessment.
When to seek help
- Fewer than half normal wet nappies
- Drowsy or hard to rouse
- Stiff neck or persistent headache
- Fever in a baby under 3 months
- Widespread or worsening rash with fever
Common questions
Is HFMD dangerous in pregnancy?
Usually mild for the parent, but tell your midwife if you're pregnant and exposed, especially near term.
When can my baby go back to childcare?
Once all blisters have dried (usually around 7 days) and your child feels well. Check your centre's policy.