Cellulitis Care in Children

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  • Cellulitis is a common but potentially serious bacterial infection of the skin and the deeper tissues beneath. It is most common in the lower legs although it can occur anywhere on the body or the face. It may also extend directly from a wound or somewhere near a wound.
  • Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender. Sometimes, pus or blisters may develop causing localize pain. It might cause fever, chills, malaise, or joint pain. Left untreated, the spreading infection can rapidly turn life-threatening.
  • Fever management：
    1. Fever when armpit temperature is over 37.5ºC or anal, forehead, or temporal temperature is over 38ºC.
    2. When your child has chills, keep him/her warm by adding another blanket or elevating the thermostat temperature. Do not give him/her an ice pillow.
    3. If your child has fever but the limbs are warm, give him/her a warm bath (water temperature 26~36ºC).
    4. Encourage your child to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Dry off the sweat immediately. Do not wear too many layers of clothes or use too many blankets.
    5. Fever medication (antipyretics) may be given when the child’s temperature is above 38.5℃. Repeat if necessary with at least 4 to 6 hours between the antipyretics. If your child has a history of febrile convulsion, use antipyretics at a lower temperature to help prevent convulsion.
    6. Antipyretics usually need around 30 minutes to work. You may check your child’s body temperature every hour until the fever has reduced.
    7. Take antipyretics as instructed. Do not take aspirin.
  • IV (intravenous therapy) and IV pump care：
    1. Keep the dressing and injection cannula (the small plastic tube which is inserted into the vein) clean and dry.
    2. Periodically check that the the distal extremities (far end of the limb with the injection; ie. fingers or toes) that they are warm and pink.
    3. Keep the injected limb lowered to avoid IV fluid or blood refluxing into the tubes.
    4. Do not adjust the IV rate or touch the buttons of the pump by yourself. Inform the staff if you think adjustment is needed.
    5. The IV pump has a rechargeable battery. You may remove the electric the charging cable when walking around. Please keep the cable plugged in when possible.
    6. Gently compress the injection site for 1~3 minutes with a sterile cotton ball after the cannula has been removed. Remove the cotton balls if there is no more bleeding.
    7. If any of the following conditions occur, please inform the nursing staff：
      • Pain, swelling, redness, or wetness at the injection site.
      • Painful or reddening of the skin after the cannula was removed.
      • You heard the sound of pump alarm.
      • Your child needs a shower or change the clothes.
  • Always wash your hands before and after touching a sick child to prevent spreading the disease.
  • Keep the infected limb elevated to help reduce swelling.
  • Ice packing the site may mediate the pain and swelling.
  • Check the infected area for changes in wound healing, redness, swelling, or discharge.
  • Wound Care：
    1. In a circular motion starting from the center working outwards, clean the wound with a swab soaked with sterilized saline or water to remove any debris or discharge.
    2. Using a different swab, apply non-alcoholic Betadine over the wound in the same motion; wait about 30 seconds to dry and disinfect.
    3. Use a different swab again soaked in in sterilized saline to remove the Betadine.
    4. Cover the wound with sterile gauze.
  • Take a sponge baths to avoid getting the wound wet.
  • Practice good personal hygiene to prevent further damage to the skin. Avoid scratching which may cause skin breaks furthering skin infection.
  • All wounds no matter how small may lead to infection if not treated properly.
  • If no restrictions, consider a high protein diet to improve immunity and promote wound healing.
  • See a doctor as soon as possible if there is persistent high fever, progressive swelling of the infected area, or appearance of purulent secretions.
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