Children’s Health℠ is home to the nation’s first pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection Program recognized by The Joint Commission for expertise in treating tissue infections like cellulitis. Children with skin wounds, rashes and other conditions are at risk for developing this bacterial skin infection. Without fast and proper treatment, cellulitis can spread and cause potentially life-threatening problems. We offer the latest medical treatments for children with cellulitis.
Overview
What is cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that occurs when bacteria enter your child’s skin through an opening like a wound. The skin infection starts on the skin’s top layer and can spread to tissues underneath the skin. Cellulitis tends to affect only one side of a child’s body, such as the right leg or left arm. It most commonly affects a child’s limbs, face or neck. However, the infection can occur anywhere on a child’s body.
Signs and Symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of cellulitis in children?
Signs of cellulitis in children include:
Red, painful, swollen skin that may feel warm to the touch
Bruising or blistering
Fatigue or weakness
Fever and chills
Diagnosis
How is cellulitis in children diagnosed?
Cellulitis in children causes symptoms that mimic other skin conditions. Pediatric orthopedic specialists at our Musculoskeletal Infection Program are experts at diagnosing cellulitis based on a child’s symptoms. Our team also performs advanced diagnostic tests to quickly and accurately confirm the diagnosis. A fast diagnosis is critical to stopping the infection from spreading deep into tissue and the bloodstream where it can become life-threatening.
Your child may get these tests:
Bacterial culture to identify the type of bacteria causing the cellulitis
Blood culture (a blood test) to check for infections in the blood
Causes
What causes cellulitis in children?
Bacteria – most commonly Streptococcus (strep) or Staphylococcus (staph) – cause cellulitis. These bacteria naturally live on the skin and don’t usually cause problems. Cellulitis occurs when bacteria enter the skin through a wound, crack or puncture. Bacteria get into the tissue underneath the skin where they grow, multiply and cause an infection.
Treatment
How is cellulitis in children treated?
Our nationally recognized Musculoskeletal Infection Program gives your child access to the most advanced cellulitis treatments. Cellulitis requires immediate treatment to stop the infection from spreading deep under the skin where it can cause dangerous bone, joint and muscle infections. In rare instances, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening sepsis.
When appropriate, our orthopedic specialists partner with experts in our Infectious Diseases Program and Hematology Program. Our team of experts provide comprehensive care that speeds your child’s recovery.
Cellulitis treatments vary depending on the severity of the infection. They include:
At-home (outpatient) care
Children with mild to moderate cellulitis may receive care at home, including:
Oral and/or topical antibiotics
Pain relievers
Rest and elevation of the affected area
Wound care and warm compresses
Hospital (inpatient) care
A child with a severe cellulitis infection needs more advanced treatments in the hospital, as well as close monitoring for signs of sepsis and other complications.
Inpatient treatments for cellulitis may include:
IV antibiotics and fluids
Pain relievers
Wound care, including draining abscesses
Treatments for other infections like septic arthritis (joint infection) or osteomyelitis (bone infection)
Doctors and Providers
Children with cellulitis receive expert medical care from our team of orthopedic and musculoskeletal infection specialists.
