Hand, Foot & Mouth Rash

Posted by Martha on July 30, 1999 at 16:09:10
One of our one year old twins broke out in a rash, starting in the diaper area then spreading in one day to the rest of his body. It is on the palms of his hands & feet.  The tiny, raised, pink rash looks like little blisters.  It does not appear to itch but it has caused crankiness & broken sleep patterns at night.  No fever or runny nose.
I went to our physician & he said the break out on the hands & feet ( & potentially mouth) were "hand, foot & mouth disease" which is viral.  He also stated that the rest of the blistery rash was "prickly heat" due to our hot weather.  
I am familiar with the hand, foot & mouth illness but not familiar with it breaking out all over.  Is this the normal course of the virus? I haven't been able to read more about this illness on the medweb or in any baby book.  Can you give me more information.   Our other twin & our three year old are starting down the same rash road.  
Thanks for any help you are able to give.
Posted by Derm M.D. ASR on July 30, 1999 at 17:09:55
Martha:
The whole process -- bumpy red rash all over the place in a cranky baby --  sounds viral, though not necessarily hand-foot-mouth.  When kids get pink bumpy rashes all over, sick otherwise or not, supportive care (moisturizers, mild soaps) are all that's needed, as with any virus.  Allergy is much less likely, especially if other family members are coming out with it.  There's nothing special about hand-foot-mout except for its peculiar distribution, which it sounds as if your baby doesn't have anyway.  Viruses go away without much help.
If the rash persists another week, or changes character, show your MD again.  My prediction: everybody will get better without much help.
Best.
Dr. R
keywords: viral exanthem, rash, Rockoff
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