Question
Do the blisters from Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease itch or hurt?
Answer
Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease usually has an acute onset, with children often experiencing fever ranging from 38℃ to 40℃, lasting for 4 to 7 days, with cases lasting over 7 days being rare. Initially, some children may have symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Not long after the onset of the disease, red small papules appear on the distal parts of the hands and feet of the child, such as fingers, palms, toes, and in the mouth, which quickly turn into small blisters. These blisters are about 2-4mm in diameter, like grains of rice in size, and are round or oval with a red halo around them. Such rashes can also be seen on the buttocks and perianal area of the child. Clinically, this disease is characterized by blisters on the hands, feet, and mouth, hence the common name Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease. Oral blisters are mostly distributed on the tongue, buccal mucosa, lips, hard palate, pharynx, and tonsils, and they quickly become small ulcers. The child may have excessive saliva (drooling) and pain when eating or drinking, which can even affect eating. A very few severe cases may present with symptoms such as lack of energy, drowsiness, frequent vomiting, or even seizures. Some children may also show signs of restlessness and irritability, difficulty breathing, discomfort in the chest area, tachycardia or bradycardia, abdominal pain, and cold hands and feet. If these symptoms occur, it often indicates a more severe condition and may be accompanied by complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, myocarditis, etc.