Vesicular eruption including the mouth

Jennifer Clay Cather, MD, and M. Alan Menter, MD

From the Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Corresponding author: Jennifer Clay Cather, MD, 5310 Harvest Hill Road, Suite 260, Dallas, Texas 75230.

A 42-year-old woman presented with a 3-day history of a tender, slightly “burning” eruption on the palms and soles that included the sides of the fingers. She also complained of mouth sores and an associated “mild fever.” Examination revealed a healthy woman with discrete, 4- to 5-mm oval vesicles, each surrounded by a thin erythematous halo, on her hands and feet (Figures 1 and 2) and a few small vesicles on the tongue and inner aspect of the lips (Figure3). There was no history of prior medication ingestion or recent “cold sores.” She had no lymphadenopathy. What is the diagnosis, and how can it be confirmed?

DIAGNOSIS: Hand, foot, and mouth disease.

(BUMC Proceedings 2002;15:93-94)