Usually the first lesions will be inside the mouth or on the tongue. This first sign of a rash marks when a person becomes contagious.These flat-based lesions typically begin on the face before spreading across the body—to the arms and legs, then the hands and feet—within 24 hours. The stage lasts one to two days.Typically, by day three, the rash lesions will become slightly raised and feel firm. This stage also lasts one to two days.
Lesions on one part of the body tend to all be of about the same size, and will all be in the same stage of development in that area—though another area of lesions may be in a different stage. The number of lesions a person has can range from just a few to a few thousand, according to the WHO. In serious cases of monkeypox, there can be so many lesions close to one another that they cause big areas of skin to slough off.
That said, people experiencing what they believe to be monkeypox symptoms—namely, signs of the distinct and evolving rash—should get in touch with their health care provider if they have access to one. Theadvises people who develop unexplained skin lesions on any area of the body to avoid contact with other people and seek medical care right away, whether or not they have a fever or other symptoms.
Individuals who have traveled to central or west African countries, European countries where monkeypox cases have been reported, or any other places with confirmed monkeypox cases in the month prior might want to be extra vigilant about suspicious new symptoms, according to the CDC. The same goes for anyone who has been in contact with someone infected with monkeypox .
The CDC also says that anyone who identifies as a man and is regularly in intimate contact with other men should also be alert regarding suspect symptoms, particularly if they experience lesions in the genital or perianal area.