Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common infection that causes mouth ulcers and spots on the hands and feet.

It’s most common in young children – particularly those under 10 – but can affect older children and adults as well.

Hand, foot and mouth disease can be unpleasant, but it will usually clear up by itself within 7 to 10 days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

The infection is not related to foot and mouth disease, which affects cattle, sheep and pigs.

The infection can be spread by close person to person contact and contact with contaminated surfaces.