What is
cellulitis?
Cellulitis is an infected area of skin
showing signs of redness, pain, warmth, and swelling.
Sometimes there is swelling of nearby lymph nodes or red
streaking from the infected area. If not treated, the
infection may spread to deeper tissues or into the
bloodstream.
What is the
cause?
The infection of the skin and underlying
tissues is caused by bacteria that may enter the skin after
an animal bite, insect bite or sting, cut, scratch,
splinter, puncture, burn, or other type of wound. Sometimes
there is no wound and the bacteria come from the
bloodstream. Cellulitis can occur on any part of the body.
What is the
treatment?
- Antibiotics
The antibiotic should be completed as prescribed and
should not be stopped even if the symptoms are going
away.
- Heat and
elevation
Apply a warm, moist towel or heating pad to the
reddened, affected area three times a day for 20 minutes
at a time. Elevate the area as much as possible on
pillows above the level of the heart to decrease
swelling and pain.
- Pain control
Children's acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin
or Advil) may be given for pain or fever over 102°F
(38.9°C).
How can cellulitis be prevented?
Whenever your child has any type of skin
wound, it is very important to keep the area as clean as
possible. The best method for cleaning a wound is to place
the injured area under running water for several minutes.
Then cover the wounded with an antibiotic ointment such as
Neosporin or bacitracin.
If you suspect that your child has
cellulitis, seek treatment early. If you notice your child
has red, swollen, warm, painful skin, even if you do not see
a recent wound, see your health care provider that day.
When should I
call my child's health care provider?
Call IMMEDIATELY if:
- The swelling, redness, pain, or warmth
spreads or worsens.
- Red streaks develop from the infected
area.
- Your child is lethargic (sluggish) or
irritable.
- Your child is unable to drink fluids
or keep the antibiotic down.
- Your child starts to act very sick.
Call within 24 hours if:
- Your child still has a fever 48 hours
after he or she started taking the antibiotic.
- The swelling, redness, pain, or warmth
is still there 48 hours after your child started taking
the antibiotic.
- You have other questions or concerns.
