Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues, which can affect any area of ​​the body. It often starts with the broken skin, such as cutting or scratching. Then, the bacteria invade and spread, causing inflammation, pain, swelling, heat and redness.

Reasons

That create breaks in the skin and allow bacteria to enter, such as eczema and severe acne, put the child’s risk of cellulite. Chickenpox, scratched insect bites, animal bites and stings are other reasons.

Cellulite can also form in areas with intact skin, especially in people with diabetes or who take medications that suppress the immune system.

Cellulitis requires particularly close monitoring when it infects the eyelid and tissue around the eyes. You can be the result of minor trauma to the area around the eye (like an insect bite or scratch) or perhaps an extension of another infection like sinusitis. This kind of cellulitis is treated with antibiotics and close monitoring. Untreated, it can become a more serious infection that affects vision.

Symptoms

Cellulitis, which is not contagious, usually begins as a small, inflamed area of ​​pain, swelling, heat and redness of the skin. As this red area begins to spread, the child may begin vomiting and fever, sometimes with chills and sweating. enlarged lymph nodes (commonly called swollen glands) are sometimes found near the inflamed skin.

Prevention

You can prevent cellulitis by protecting your child has skin cuts, bruises and scratches. This may not be easy, especially for active kids who like to explore or play sports. personal protective equipment to prevent other injuries can also protect your skin, such as knee pads and elbow pads for skating, cycling helmet, shin guards and soccer, long pants and sleeved shirts, long walks in the woods, sandals (not bare feet) on the beach , and seatbelts while driving motor vehicles.

If your child is a scrape, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with an adhesive bandage or gauze. Contact your doctor if your child has a big piece, deep puncture wounds or bite (animal or human).

Diagnosis

The incubation period for cellulitis varies depending on the type of bacteria that causes it. Your doctor can diagnose cellulitis by asking a few questions and explore the area affected.

Sometimes, especially in younger children, the culture of blood can be carried out to see the growth of bacteria. positive blood culture means that bacteria in the skin infection has spread into the bloodstream, a condition known as bacteremia. This could potentially lead to blood poisoning, infection affecting many of the body.

Treatment

A child with severe cellulitis may be treated in the hospital with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. Children with mild cellulitis can be treated at home with antibiotics. The doctor may also recommend keeping the affected part of the body immobilized and elevated to reduce swelling and pain. Analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help reduce discomfort.

After 1 or 2 days of antibiotics at home, the child returns to the doctor who must verify that the cellulitis has improved and that antibiotics improve the infection.

When to call the doctor

Call your doctor if any area of ​​your baby’s skin becomes red, hot and painful – with or without fever and chills. This is especially important if your skin is the front or if your child has a chronic illness (like diabetes) or a condition that suppresses the immune system.

Because cellulitis can happen very quickly after an animal bite, call your doctor if your child is bitten by an animal, especially if you have a deep stab wound. Human bites can also cause skin infections and should see a doctor. If red streaks develop from the infected area or symptoms worsen despite antibiotic treatment, the child should be reviewed.

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