goodtoknow says: Hand foot and mouth disease is very common in children and has nothing to do with foot and mouth disease in animals. It's a mild viral infection which causes mouth ulcers and a rash which starts on the soles of the feet and palms of the hand. The rash, which looks like chickenpox but doesn't itch, can also spread to other parts of the body. Give your child cool foods like yoghurts and let them suck ice-lollies to soothe their sore throat. Hand foot and mouth disease is infectious until the spots have gone.

For a full medical explanation of the causes, symptoms and treatments of hand foot and mouth disease from patient.co.uk, read on.

Hand foot and mouth disease is usually a short mild illness that mainly affects children. Most children fully recover within a week. Serious complications occur rarely. This disease is NOT related to the disease with a similar name which affects animals.

What is hand foot and mouth disease and what causes it?

Hand foot and mouth disease is an infection that is usually caused by a virus called the coxsackie A virus. Some cases are caused by coxsackie B virus and enterovirus 71.

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