Hand, foot and mouth - help please

[stressed2007]

I wonder if anyone can advise. My son has a chance of having hand, foot and mouth (4 children have it at nursery). The GP said it could be that but she is not sure. He had spots on hands and feet, very bobbley legs, few spots round mouth, few spots on arms and a couple of blisters in toes. It is the blister type things that made the GP think that was what it was. Nursery wont take him and he has been off for 5 days now. They said when they all crust over they will have him back. I don't understand what they are on about - they are not pussey like chicken pox - it is like a bad rash.

He is not ill in himself at all. The rash has certainly gone down but the blisters (which are very tiny - about 5 of them) have done nothing. These look like normal blisters - they could take weeks to go. I can't have him off that long due to a few blisters. Can you pop them or should this not be done? Anyone know how long this takes to go completely? How long is he contagious for - is he still contagious now? Thanks very much

[CrushWithEyeliner]

NO! do not pop them - they could get infected and lead to all sorts of complications. You need to just let them heal and leave them alone. I found a tiny bit of sea salt in the bath helped healing process immensely. How old is your DS?

I think they type of blisters with HF&M differs from child to child in severity like CP. It could be that your Ds had a mild case. But the blisters do need to be healed before they accept them back. I think they are contagious until that time.

[stressed2007]

He is 16 months.

Blisters are absolutely tiny. How are they going to pop - they won't go due to pressure on them from walking etc

surely this is not a off for 3 weeks job (she said hopefully)

[ABitStretched]

Hi my ds2 had HFM at 12 months but he was really poorly with it. Your description sounds just like it but ds1 was better within a week. If its been more than 5 days, the other blisters have gone and the ones on his feet have not changed take him back to GP as it could also be viral warts - which are not serious and nursery should take him with.

[Wallace]

I think the guidlines for HF&M is that the child can go back as soon as they feel well enough

[CrushWithEyeliner]

blisters don't have to pop they just heal over naturally

[SweetApril]

My DD went back into childcare as soon as she felt well enough. Can't remember now but I think this was GP's advice. She had blisters but they were inside her mouth and all over her tongue so that's a bit different I guess. After a few weeks you get dry skin peeling off where the rash was so don't be freaked out by that! And I hope you don't get it cos I did and it is very uncomfortable.

[stressed2007]

Thanks to all. They took him back at nursery today.