Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in an Adult Man – a Case Report

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a systemic infection caused by enteroviruses. It is highly contagious, spreads by direct contact, and is commonly seen in young children. The disease is characterized by ulcerative oral lesions and a vesicular rash on palms, soles and characteristically between the fingers and toes, associated with mild systemic symptoms and signs such as fever and lymphadenopathy.

We present a 35-year-old man referred to a dermatologist with mouth lesions and skin rash. The patient had a fever, followed by a sore throat and malaise, which occurred two days before the rash. Physical examination revealed numerous superficial erosions and small vesicular lesions on the lower lip mucous membrane and on the hard palate, and also, multiple, discrete small vesicular lesions on fingers and toes. The patient was treated symptomatically and all the lesions resolved completely in a week. Adults with hand, foot and mouth disease usually experience milder symptoms than children. In conclusion: the disease should not be overlooked in middle-aged adults with a vesicular rash.