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Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease in a Patient With Psoriasis: A Case Report
João A Martins1, Catarina Morais1, Pedro Ferreira1
1Family Medicine, Unidade Local de Saúde-Almada Seixal, Almada, PRT.
Abstract:
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a viral infection commonly found in children but rare in adults. Patients with chronic skin conditions may worsen after an inoculation with an infectious agent with cutaneous tropism. The present case reports a 48-year-old male patient with a history of plaque psoriasis, with no identifiable epidemiological contacts, who presented at a primary health care consultation with painful vesicles, blisters, and pustules in the perioral region, elbows, hands, and soles of the feet. He was also observed in the hospital emergency department, where blood tests confirmed an enterovirus A71 infection. The patient was subsequently followed up in a dermatology consultation. This case report emphasizes the need for health professionals to consider HFMD in adults with unexplained cutaneous lesions with oral symptoms, especially when chronic dermatological diseases are present, due to the risk of their worsening.
Insights
Adults can contract Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), a viral infection. This case highlights HFMD worsening pre-existing skin conditions like psoriasis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Virology
Background:
- Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common childhood viral illness, rarely seen in adults.
- Patients with chronic skin conditions may experience exacerbations following infections with agents that target the skin.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old male with a history of plaque psoriasis presented with painful oral and cutaneous lesions (vesicles, blisters, pustules).
- Lesions were located on the perioral area, elbows, hands, and soles of the feet.
- Enterovirus A71 infection was confirmed via blood tests.
Findings:
- The patient, despite lacking clear epidemiological contacts, was diagnosed with HFMD.
- The viral infection led to a significant flare-up of his pre-existing plaque psoriasis.
Implications:
- Healthcare professionals should consider HFMD in adults presenting with unexplained cutaneous and oral symptoms.
- The potential for HFMD to exacerbate chronic dermatological conditions necessitates heightened clinical awareness.
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