Hi everyone,
I’m feeling completely at my wit’s end and would be so grateful for any help or advice—anything at all!
Back in September 2015, I contracted hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). I had large, red blisters with white centers on my hands and feet, along with dehydration, mild fever, fatigue, severe itching, and a slight sore throat. There was barely any involvement around my mouth—just one tiny bump and a little leaking around my lip area.
I saw three different doctors, and all of them confirmed that it was HFMD, assuring me it would resolve on its own within 10 days at most.
Well, here I am almost three months later, still dealing with recurring rashes (and leaking around my lips). The bumps have become smaller over time, but the rash never completely disappears. If I rest and take care of myself for a few days, it improves, but the moment I push myself—whether it’s waking up early for work or socializing with friends—the rash comes back. As it flares, I also start to experience mild flu-like symptoms, and I can’t shake the feeling that this is acting like a chronic condition, almost like herpes. It’s so frustrating.
I’m about to start my education in a month, and I feel incredibly isolated in this experience. I’ve seen two additional doctors, and none of them have ever encountered a case lasting this long. No one knows what to do next.
Since I have access to scholarly articles, I’ve been doing some research, and based on the limited information I found, I asked my doctor about trying Acyclovir, which is typically used for herpes simplex, shingles, etc. While it’s not proven to be effective for coxsackievirus, some studies and case reports suggest it might help.
This has truly become a nightmare, and if anyone else has had a similar experience or has advice on what helped them, I’d be so grateful to hear from you.
Thank you so much for any guidance you can offer.