Clinical Reference Systems: Pediatric Advisor 10.0

Description

Cellulitis is an infected area of skin showing signs of redness, pain, warmth, and swelling. 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.

Cause

The infection of the skin and underlying tissues is caused by bacteria that may enter the skin after an animal bite, insect bite or sting, cut, scratch, splinter, puncture, burn, 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.

Reasons for Admission to the Hospital

Main complication: ________________________________________.

__ Needs IV fluids.

__ Needs IV antibiotic or other medication.

__ Other reasons: _________________________________________.

Requirements for Discharge

• _______________________________________________________
• _______________________________________________________
• _______________________________________________________

Discharge Instructions for Home Treatment

• 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 as much as possible on pillows above the level of the heart to decrease swelling and pain.

• Pain control

  Children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be given for pain or fever over 102ƒF (38.9ƒC).

• Other medicines

  _____________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________

• Additional instructions

  _____________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________

  _____________________________________________________________

Follow-Up Appointment after Discharge

___ 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 doctor to make an appointment.

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

Prevention

Whenever your child has any type of skin wound, it is very important to keep the area as clean as possible. The best method for cleaning a wound is to place the injured area under running water for several minutes. Then, clean it with a cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide two to three times a day. Cover wounds with an antibiotic ointment.

If you suspect that your child has cellulitis, seek treatment early. If you notice your child has red, swollen, warm, painful skin, even if you do not see a recent wound, see your child's doctor that day.

Call Your Child's Physician IMMEDIATELY If:

• Your child's fever comes back.
• The swelling, redness, or pain spreads or worsens.
• Your child starts to act very sick.