Question
My son is two years old and recently contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease. The symptoms are mild, just some red spots on his buttocks, and his appetite and activity levels are normal. I want to know how long it typically takes for hand, foot, and mouth disease to heal?
Answer
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a contagious illness with typically mild symptoms that resolve within about one to ten days. In most cases, no specific treatment is required as patients can recover on their own. However, in rare instances, hand, foot, and mouth disease can lead to severe complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, myocarditis, and pneumonia. If these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention should be sought.