Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDifferencesCausesConfirmationSoothing Rash at HomeRecoveryPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Differences
Causes
Confirmation
Soothing Rash at Home
Recovery
Prevention
Hand, foot, and mouth disease(HFMD) is a viral illness typically seen in children five years and under. Mouth sores, hand and foot rashes, and a low-grade fever are all characteristics of HFMD.Drooling also causes a rash around the mouth and can be mistaken for HFMD. This article will cover the differences between adrool rashand HFMD. It will also discuss the symptoms and treatments for both rashes.
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Rash From Drool vs. Infection From HFMD
Hand, foot, and mouth disease and a rash from drool can look similar. They both cause facial skin irritation and discomfort. However, a few key features help distinguish the two conditions.
Adrool rashappears as skin irritation, redness, and bumps on the face. Drooling is a common developmental phase in babies. It often becomes most apparent around three to six months old.
Other Symptom Differences
Here is a list to compare drool rash and hand, foot, and mouth disease symptoms:
Drool RashRed, slightly raised bumps near the mouth, chin, or neckRedness around the mouthSwollen gumsBitingDroolingIrritabilityRefusing to eatHand, Foot, and Mouth DiseaseRed spots and/or blisters on the hands and feetMouth soresFeverFlu-like symptomsDroolingIrritabilityLoss of appetite
Drool RashRed, slightly raised bumps near the mouth, chin, or neckRedness around the mouthSwollen gumsBitingDroolingIrritabilityRefusing to eat
Red, slightly raised bumps near the mouth, chin, or neck
Redness around the mouth
Swollen gums
Biting
Drooling
Irritability
Refusing to eat
Hand, Foot, and Mouth DiseaseRed spots and/or blisters on the hands and feetMouth soresFeverFlu-like symptomsDroolingIrritabilityLoss of appetite
Red spots and/or blisters on the hands and feet
Mouth sores
Fever
Flu-like symptoms
Loss of appetite
Hand, foot, and mouth disease causes blisters that can leave a reddened sore. There may also be a rash on other parts of the body, including the buttocks and thighs.
Top Viral Rashes in Babies: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help
Drool Rash vs. HFMD Causes
One of the primary causes of a drool rash isteethingand excessive saliva production. When babies are teething, they will often drool. This excessive saliva on the skin can cause irritation and rashes. Other causes of drool rashes include using a pacifier and wiping the skin frequently to remove drool.
A viral infection causes HFMD, most often theCoxsackievirus. It is highly contagious, especially during the first week. It spreads easily through:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease commonly spreads in places where young children are close together, such as daycare, school, and summer camp.
How to Confirm Rash From Drool vs. HFMD
One of the key distinguishing features of a drool rash from hand, foot, and mouth disease is that a drool rash does not appear on the hands and feet, and it does not causeblisters. Additionally, a drool rash won’t cause lesions inside the mouth, unlike hand, foot, and mouth disease.
If they cannot conclusively determine if the rash is a hand, foot, and mouth disease, they can order a lab test; however, this is rarely used.
When To Call a Healthcare ProviderHand, foot, and mouth disease does not have a specific remedy and will normally resolve with at-home treatment. However, there are circumstances in which a healthcare provider should be contacted. They include:Fever longer than three daysNo symptom improvement after ten daysConcern ofdehydrationSevere symptomsAny child who is younger than six months old
When To Call a Healthcare Provider
Hand, foot, and mouth disease does not have a specific remedy and will normally resolve with at-home treatment. However, there are circumstances in which a healthcare provider should be contacted. They include:Fever longer than three daysNo symptom improvement after ten daysConcern ofdehydrationSevere symptomsAny child who is younger than six months old
Hand, foot, and mouth disease does not have a specific remedy and will normally resolve with at-home treatment. However, there are circumstances in which a healthcare provider should be contacted. They include:
A drool rash and hand, foot, and mouth disease can be uncomfortable, making sleeping and eating difficult for babies and small children. While there is no cure for either skin condition, there are ways to soothe therashand minimize symptoms.
Drool and Teething
When a drool rash has already formed gently clean and pat the rash dry. Apply a thin layer of petrolatum or zinc to the rash to act as a barrier between saliva and the skin. This will help the rash heal and prevent further irritation.
HFMD
Hand, foot, and mouth disease is an uncomfortable childhood illness that does not have a specific treatment or cure. There are several ways to minimize the discomfort and make the healing process a little easier. They are:
HFMD Treatment and ProgressionHand, foot, and mouth disease does not have a specific treatment available. Unfortunately, the virus just needs to run its course. Thankfully, the above treatment options can minimize discomfort and make the healing process a little easier.
HFMD Treatment and Progression
Hand, foot, and mouth disease does not have a specific treatment available. Unfortunately, the virus just needs to run its course. Thankfully, the above treatment options can minimize discomfort and make the healing process a little easier.
Recovery Timeline for Viral HFMD
Hand, foot, and mouth disease typically begins with afeverandflu-like symptomsfor three to five days. It progresses to mouth sores and blisters. Hand, foot, and mouth disease symptoms usually resolve within one week to ten days.
How to Keep Rash From Returning
One of the best ways to prevent a drool rash is to keep the face clean and dry. Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the face.
The best prevention for hand, foot, and mouth disease is frequenthandwashing. This is especially important after using the bathroom, diaper changes, before making food, and before eating. Clean hard surfaces withdisinfectantsand wash regularly wash toys.
Summary
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and drool rashes are two types of face rashes that babies and young children can develop rashes on their face that can be difficult to differentiate. HFMD will not only cause a rash on the face, but it will also cause mouth sores and spots or blisters on the hands and feet.A drool rash will only appear on the face, neck, or chin (any spots where saliva touches). Treatment is aimed at providing comfort and reducing symptoms.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Seattle Children’s.Hand-foot-and-mouth disease - viral rash.
Nemours Kids Health.Hand, foot, and mouth disease.
MedlinePlus.Teething symptoms.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How hand, foot, and mouth disease spreads.
MedlinePlus.Teething.
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