Adult HFMD – Need Advice

[TinaFeysGlasses]

I’m really struggling with HFMD after catching it from my 16-month-old daughter. She only had a few spots and recovered quickly, but I’ve been hit hard. I have a rash and blisters all over body - my back, stomach, legs, and arms. My throat is unbelievably sore; gargling salt water and using Difflam barely helps. I’ve been alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen every 4 hours just to stay sane.

I’m completely exhausted and hungry, but eating is so painful because swallowing hurts so much. And now my hands and feet are starting to itch too.

Has anyone else had this as an adult? Any tips for easing the symptoms? I’m absolutely miserable.

Any tips on how I can ease this journey? I'm absolutely miserable. And for others that had it, how soon after did the red spots / rash go away? Or swelling go down? I don't want to sound vain or anything but I do not want to leave the house or see people like this or go to work! I myself, can't stop staring at my body on the count of how gross it is and how quickly it just showed up.

And is true your nails fall off 4 weeks after recovery?! Why don't more people talk about this?

I had it and it was about a week I total I was ill. Mine was my feet,hands and elbows which were the worst. My elbows calmed down but then were flaky for a week or so after too.
my nails didn’t fall off!? Never heard of this.
now if I’m stressed or run down I get blisters on my hands in the same pots- and I had it 10 years ago.
take care of yourself I felt so rough it’s not a nice illness to have

@TinaFeysGlasses that's sounds awful! I had it last summer after catching it from my 1 year old, my husband wasn't affected. I found soluable paracetamol helped for my throat, I used bonjela for the blisters in my mouth and I kept Virasooth in the fridge and applied the cold gel to my skin. I have to say nothing really helped but doing this slightly took the edge off. I remember feeling awful for about 10 days, the first 7 days being the worst and symptoms were getting more unbearable instead of easing those first few days.
I also felt like HFM is majorly downplayed by the NHS and not spoken about enough. I hope you feel better soon.

I also had this last year after catching it from my DC. For me it lasted about 5 days, the most intense itching I have experienced, all over my hands, arms and legs. The pharmacist gave me a cream called Eurax which I found helped a lot.

DH caught it from our son years ago
He felt really rough for a number of days but I promise he didn't lose any of his nails

Hope you feel better soon

DH also caught this when DC was a toddler. He is usually very stoic and never complains but he was really ill and miserable with it - I think it’s one of those diseases that’s mild in kids but awful for adults! His nails didn’t fall off though so hopefully yours won’t either. I hope you feel better soon and that you manage to get some rest.