The skin rash, appearing as flat or raised red spots, develops over one to two days. The rash does not itch, and it is usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, and sometimes on the buttocks. A person with hand, foot and mouth disease may have only the rash or the mouth ulcers. Although the names are similar, the two diseases are not related at all. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a different disease than foot and mouth disease of cattle, sheep, and swine.
Different viruses cause the diseases.
No specific treatment is available for the disease, although symptomatic treatment is given to provide relief from fever, aches, or pain from the mouth ulcers. During the first few days of the illness children are often excluded from childcare programs, schools, or other group settings. These measures may reduce the spread of infection, although they will not completely interrupt it. Hand, foot and mouth disease caused by coxsackievirus A16 infection is a mild disease and nearly all patients recover without medical treatment in seven to 10 days. There are no common complications.