Cellulitis

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin. Cellulitis causes red, tender, warm and swollen skin. 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?

Cellulitis is caused by bacteria that enter through a break in the skin like a cut, scratch, splinter, puncture, burn, animal bite, insect bite or sting, 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.

Why was my child admitted to the hospital?

If your health care provider thinks the cellulitis is severe your child may require antibiotics given by vein (intravenous) and be admitted to the hospital.

Main complication: ________________________________________.

__ Needs IV fluids.

__ Needs IV antibiotic or other medication.

__ Other reasons: _________________________________________.

What are the requirements for discharge?

• _______________________________________________________
• _______________________________________________________
• _______________________________________________________

How can I take care of my child?

• Antibiotics

  Your child's antibiotic is ____________________________. Give __________ every ______ hours for ______ days.

  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 on pillows to a level above the heart to decrease swelling and pain.

• Pain control

  Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given for pain or fever over 102°F (38.9°C).

• Other medicines

  _____________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________

• Additional instructions

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  _____________________________________________________________

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When should my child be seen again?

___ Your child needs to be rechecked and has an appointment on _____________ at _______ with _________________________.

___ Your child needs to be rechecked in ________ days. Call your child's healthcare provider to make an appointment.

___ A follow-up appointment is not necessary. Call the healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

How can I help prevent cellulitis?

Whenever your child has any type of skin wound or injury, it is very important to keep the area as clean as possible. The best way to get rid of bacteria on the skin is to rinse it with water. You can do this by placing the wound it under running water for several minutes. Next, wipe the area with cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Then cover with an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or Bacitracin. This can be repeated 2 or 3 times a day.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

Call IMMEDIATELY if:

• The swelling, redness, pain, or warmth spreads or worsens.
• Red streaks develop from the infected area.
• Your child has red, swollen, warm, painful skin, even if you do not see a wound.
• The pain seems worse than it should be.
• Your child's fever comes back after going away for 24 hours
• Your child is sluggish or cranky
• Your child is unable to drink fluids or keep the antibiotic down.
• Your child starts to act very sick

Call during office hours if:

• You have questions or concerns.