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Cellulitis
- Cellulitis is one type of skin
infection.
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- Cellulitis is a spreading infection of the skin caused by bacteria. The typical causal agents are two: the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus ("staph") and Streptococcus ("strep"). Other bacteria may also cause Cellulitis, such as the gram-negative Escherichia coli.
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- Hot and red spreading rash
- Streaking may appear, going toward the center of the body
- Swollen glands may or may not occur
- Fever, especially in young children and infants
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- Cellulitis can be caused by the spread of bacteria from the blood, but it is much more commonly seen after an Injury, such as a cut, that allows bacteria from the environment to gain entry below the skin surface.
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- Usually evident on examination
- Culture by saline injection and aspiration (rarely done)
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- Antibiotics:
- The type of antibiotic used depends upon the location and severity of the infection, and the age of the child:
- In young children and infants, Cellulitis will often be treated with IV antibiotics, given in a hospital.
- In older children and teenagers, or with mild infections, oral antibiotics are usually sufficient; however, if the infection spreads despite this therapy, IV medication may be necessary
- Cephalexin (Keflex) or dicloxacillin by mouth in typical cases
- Cefazolin intravenously in severe cases
- Broad spectrum antibiotics if gram-negative bacteria are suspected (especially diabetics)
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- Most children respond to antibiotics quickly and recover fully without any future problems.
- If the infection is not treated quickly enough, there is a risk that it will spread to other areas; this can be very dangerous, especially in young children.
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- See your pediatrician immediately.
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- The best way to prevent Cellulitis is to clean scrapes and cuts with soap and warm water and treat the wounds immediately with topical over-the-counter antibiotics to prevent an infection from starting.
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- Venous stasis
- Erysipelas
- Deep vein thrombosis
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