Cellulitis in children: symptoms and care

Cellulitis is a deeper skin infection that may start after a scrape, insect bite, eczema flare, cracked skin, or another small break. Look for redness that feels warmer than nearby skin, swelling, tenderness, or a shiny appearance. A young child may cry when the area is touched, avoid using an arm or leg, or be less active than usual. The border may expand, and swollen glands or fever can occur. A clinician may need to distinguish cellulitis from an abscess, an allergic reaction, or irritation; do not rely on a photograph alone.

Contact a healthcare professional promptly for a new or spreading area. Gently clean and cover an open scratch, keep fingernails short, and discourage squeezing or scratching. Offer fluids and use only child-appropriate medicine at the dose advised for that child. Do not share antibiotics or use a leftover prescription. Tell the clinician when the change began, whether it is spreading, the child's allergies, and any recent bite, injury, or skin condition. If antibiotics are prescribed, give each dose as directed and seek advice if the child cannot keep it down.

Seek emergency care for a child who is difficult to wake, confused, floppy, breathing unusually fast, faint, or severely unwell. Rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, swelling around an eye, vision change, or difficulty breathing also needs urgent attention. A very young infant with a temperature or a child who is not drinking or passing urine needs prompt medical evaluation. These signs can signal a deeper infection or sepsis.

Ask whether the area needs drainage, what improvement should look like, how to care for the skin during recovery, and which changes mean your child should be seen again immediately.