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GP · Hand, foot and mouth disease · Private clinic in East London

Private hand, foot and mouth disease clinic in London, same-day GP.

A common childhood viral illness causing mouth ulcers and a blistering rash on the hands and feet. It has nothing to do with foot and mouth disease in animals. It clears by itself in about a week — the main challenge is keeping a child drinking when their mouth hurts. Our private GP clinic in East London offers same-day hand, foot and mouth disease assessment with a private GP, diagnosis and a clear treatment plan — usually without a referral and often the same day.

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The condition

What is hand, foot and mouth disease?

A common childhood viral illness causing mouth ulcers and a blistering rash on the hands and feet. It has nothing to do with foot and mouth disease in animals. It clears by itself in about a week — the main challenge is keeping a child drinking when their mouth hurts.

  • What hand, foot and mouth disease is
  • Symptoms to look for
  • Causes & risk factors
  • Tests & diagnosis
  • Treatment options
  • When to see a specialist

Understanding hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease: symptoms, causes, tests & treatment

Seek medical advice if your child

  • is refusing all fluids, or shows signs of dehydration — no wet nappy for 12 hours, dry mouth, no tears, unusual drowsiness
  • has a fever lasting more than three days, or a very high temperature
  • becomes drowsy, floppy, or very difficult to rouse
  • has a stiff neck, severe headache or dislike of bright light
  • has skin that becomes red, hot, swollen and increasingly painful around the spots
  • is under three months old, or has a weakened immune system

Complications are uncommon but dehydration from painful mouth ulcers is the usual reason a child needs to be seen. In an emergency call 999, or go to the Royal London Hospital Emergency Department, Whitechapel Road, London E1 1FR.

What happens

3–6 daysfrom exposure to first symptoms
7–10 daysfor the illness to run its course
Under 5the age group most affected

It usually starts with a temperature, sore throat and being off food. A day or two later, small painful ulcers appear in the mouth, followed by flat red spots that blister on the palms, soles, and often the buttocks, legs and around the mouth. The spots are typically not itchy in children, though adults sometimes find them uncomfortable.

Keeping a child comfortable

Helps

  • Cold drinks, milk, ice lollies and ice cream — cold numbs the ulcers
  • Soft, bland food: yoghurt, mashed potato, custard, smooth soup
  • Paracetamol or ibuprofen at the dose for age and weight
  • Drinking through a straw, which bypasses sore areas
  • Small amounts offered very frequently rather than full meals

Avoid

  • Acidic drinks — orange juice, apple juice, fizzy drinks — which sting badly
  • Salty, spicy or crunchy foods
  • Very hot food and drinks
  • Bursting the blisters
  • Mouthwashes containing alcohol

Children do not automatically need to stay off school

UK public health guidance does not require exclusion from school or nursery for hand, foot and mouth disease. A child should stay home if they are genuinely unwell, feverish, or too uncomfortable to take part — but not simply because spots are present. Keeping children off until the rash disappears makes no difference to spread, because the virus is shed for weeks afterwards regardless.

Stopping it spreading

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after nappy changes and before food.
  • Bin used tissues immediately and wash hands afterwards.
  • Do not share cups, cutlery, towels or bedding while anyone is unwell.
  • Clean toys and surfaces that go in mouths.
  • The virus continues to be present in stools for several weeks after recovery, which is why handwashing matters longer than the illness lasts.

Two things that surprise people afterwards

  • Peeling skin on the hands and feet in the week or two after the rash fades. Harmless.
  • Nail changes or nail shedding one to two months later. Fingernails or toenails may develop lines, lift and come away. It looks alarming, it is painless, and the nails grow back normally without any treatment.

Adults and pregnancy

Adults can catch it, usually mildly, though the mouth ulcers can be surprisingly painful. Most adults are already immune.

Catching it in pregnancy is not generally thought to harm the baby. If you are pregnant and have been in contact with hand, foot and mouth disease, particularly close to your due date, mention it to your midwife or to us for reassurance and advice rather than worrying about it.

Book an appointment if your child is not drinking, the fever is persisting, the rash is looking infected, or you would simply like the diagnosis confirmed. We see children 7 days a week, usually the same day.

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Book online any time or call reception — no GP referral needed for most appointments.

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Diagnosis & plan

You leave with a clear diagnosis, treatment, and any specialist care or scan arranged.

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Private assessment

See a private GP for hand, foot and mouth disease in London

At our private GP clinic on Whitechapel Road in East London, you can see a private GP or hand, foot and mouth disease doctor without a referral — most days, often the same day. A private GP in East London or consultant GP will assess you, arrange the right tests and explain your diagnosis and treatment options clearly. We help patients across East London, Canary Wharf, the City, Docklands and Aldgate who want fast, private answers about hand, foot and mouth disease.

Book a private hand, foot and mouth disease assessment

Local, private, fast

A private GP clinic for East London & Canary Wharf

Tower Bridge Hospital is on Whitechapel Road in the heart of East London — minutes from Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands and Aldgate. Patients across Tower Hamlets, Wapping, Limehouse and Bethnal Green choose us for a fast, private hand, foot and mouth disease appointment with a GP, without the wait or the referral.

Why choose us

Why choose our East London private GP clinic

  • Same-day, no referral — private GP and GP under one roof
  • Specialist-led care with GMC-registered clinicians
  • Tests & scans on site, results explained the same visit
  • Minutes from Canary Wharf & the City of London
  • A named clinician who explains your results clearly
  • Transparent pricing and a plan you can act on

Ready when you are

See a private GP for hand, foot and mouth disease — the same day.

Book a private hand, foot and mouth disease assessment in East London: same-day appointments, GP-led care and a clear plan. No referral needed.

Book same-day appointment 020 7916 0029

Common questions

Hand, foot and mouth disease in London: your questions answered

Where can I find a private hand, foot and mouth disease specialist near me in East London?

Our private GP clinic is on Whitechapel Road in East London, minutes from Canary Wharf and the City. You can see a private GP or hand, foot and mouth disease doctor for assessment and treatment, usually the same day and without a referral.

Can I see a private GP for hand, foot and mouth disease the same day?

Yes. We hold same-day private appointments most days, including Saturdays, so you can be assessed by a GP or GP quickly, with tests done in-house where possible.

How much does a private hand, foot and mouth disease appointment cost in London?

We keep pricing transparent — see our fees page or call 020 7916 0029, and we will explain the cost of the hand, foot and mouth disease assessment and any tests before you book.

Do I need a referral to see a private GP for hand, foot and mouth disease?

No. You can book directly with our clinic. If you are unsure whether to start with a private GP or a GP, we will guide you.

Which areas do you serve for private hand, foot and mouth disease care?

We see private patients from across East London, Canary Wharf, the City of London, Docklands, Aldgate, Wapping, Limehouse and Tower Hamlets.

Medically reviewed by Dr Haydar Bolat — Clinical Director, GMC 7138332. Last reviewed August 2026 · next review August 2027. Written in line with our editorial & content-review policy, using guidance from the NHS, NICE and the relevant royal colleges. This information is general and does not replace personal medical advice.

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Private GP
No referral

Private GP

Same-day GP to start your care.

Urgent Care
Same-day

Urgent Care

For acute problems today.

Private Blood Tests
Fast results

Private Blood Tests

Diagnostic blood tests, explained.

Scans & Imaging
Imaging

Scans & Imaging

Fast CT, MRI & ultrasound.

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In an emergency, call 999. Tower Bridge Hospital London is not an emergency service. Your nearest A&E is The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road E1 1FR — 5 minutes’ walk from our front door.

Areas we serve

Private hand, foot and mouth disease care in London & East London — Whitechapel, the City & Canary Wharf

Patients visit our Whitechapel clinic for private hand, foot and mouth disease assessment and treatment from right across London and East London, the City and the Docklands — including Aldgate, Bethnal Green, Bow, Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, Stratford, Bermondsey and the surrounding areas. Same-day and walk-in appointments are available and you do not need a GP referral.

Easy to reach — minutes from the Royal London Hospital and Aldgate East, Whitechapel, Aldgate and Liverpool Street stations, and one stop from Canary Wharf on the Elizabeth line.

Private hand, foot and mouth disease treatment near me? If you are searching for private hand, foot and mouth disease treatment near me, a hand, foot and mouth disease doctor or specialist near me, or a private clinic near me in East London, our Whitechapel practice is on your doorstep — walk-in and same-day appointments, no GP referral, and no long NHS waiting list.

Book a same-day appointment or call 020 7916 0029. See our transparent fees. Open 7 days a week, 9am–7pm. Private clinic on Whitechapel Road, London E1 — serving Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham, Islington, the City of London and Southwark.

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