Hand, foot, and mouth disease is caused by an intestinal virus infection. It primarily manifests as a disseminated rash of maculopapules or vesicular papules on the hands, feet, mouth, and buttocks. The main symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease start with a fever in children, accompanied by a sore throat, reluctance to eat, and some children may have mild cough and runny nose.

During a physical examination, small vesicles can be found on the oral mucosa, or they may have already ulcerated into shallow ulcers. Subsequently, rashes appear on the hands and feet, starting as maculopapules and slowly transforming into vesicular papules, about 3 to 7mm in size, with a firm base. The skin of the vesicle is slightly thicker, surrounded by erythema, and the rash is mostly located at the extremities. Sometimes, it can extend to the arms, legs, buttocks, and perineum, showing a centrifugal distribution.

The number of rashes is relatively small, typically ranging from a few to several dozen. Most of them resolve on their own in 2 to 3 days without scaling, scarring, or pigmentation. Vesicles or ulcers in the mouth mostly heal within a week. Most cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease have a short duration and mild condition, with generally good prognosis.