Hand Foot & Mouth

It was only a matter of time until Evan got sick with something new. He continues to lick everything and put things in his mouth for sensory input. Several weeks ago he had a high fever of 102.1 on a Friday evening. On Saturday morning, he had no fever and ate great. However, I noticed his mouth had a couple little sores on them, but he often does this if food comes in contact with him for too long. However, by Saturday evening, I knew it was something altogether different. This always happens on a weekend!

Day 1 - tiny little red spots on top of his hand, knee, and mouth.

Day 2 - spots have now covered his feet and started on the palms of his hands and arms.

Day 3 - All limbs are completely covered in spots - millions of them. His mouth, chin, and nose have clusters of them. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic ointment for the bad ones so they would not get infected. It was confirmed Hand, Foot & Mouth disease. 

The next day he got a few more on his ears and up his legs, but they started to not be as bright red. After a couple of days they faded out. He had no more open sores and all the big ones had scabbed over. He missed a week of school. The nurse said no other cases had been reported to her so hopefully we caught his quickly and kept him isolated long enough. Alex never caught it either. 

After two weeks, there are visible scars on his hands from where the spots were. 

At the end of two weeks, his skin on his toes and fingertips has started to slough off and look like a skin peel. It only did this on his left hand (thumb and forefinger) and his left foot. 

Two weeks and 3 days - still peeling that looks like blisters. 

Thank goodness the only effect from this disease was a horrible rash. No sickness involved!