How does cellulitis occur in children and how to prevent it?

How does cellulitis occur in children?

Cellulitis is a widespread skin infection that occurs in areas of tissue beneath the surface of the skin. Generally, cellulitis occurs on the lower legs, face, and arms. However, this infection can affect other parts of the body.

Cellulitis can occur due to areas of damaged skin, such as cuts, insect or other animal bites, scratches, eczema, or ringworm.

In this exposed area of skin, bacteria can easily enter under the surface of the skin, causing infection. As for the bacteria that cause cellulitis, generally, that is streptococcus and staphylococcus aureus .

However, cellulitis can also occur even if there is no area of the skin that is damaged, such as in someone who has a chronic disease, has HIV / AIDS, or is taking drugs that affect the immune system, such as drugs for cancer.

Generally, the symptoms of cellulitis in children include skin that is swollen, looks red, feels soft, and warm. When the infected skin area has started to spread, the child will begin to feel pain in the skin area, fever, chills, sweating, and swollen lymph vessels nearby.

When these symptoms appear, take your child to the doctor immediately. Left untreated cellulitis can lead to more serious medical conditions.

How to prevent cellulitis from occurring in children

Of course it will be very painful for children when they have cellulitis. Before this happens, it's a good idea to apply healthy habits to children so they are not prone to infections. In addition to adopting healthy habits, here are steps you can apply to children to prevent cellulitis.

1. Prevent wounds

Physical activity of children is needed during their growth and development. When this is done, sometimes the child falls or gets injured, causing cuts on the skin.

To prevent cellulitis in children, you need to prevent injury to children. There are several points that you can do to prevent injury to children when doing physical activity, such as exercising, namely:

Use clothes that protect your body optimally when you are outside.
Use elbow or knee pads when skating.
Wear a helmet when cycling.
Wear foot protection when playing soccer.
Wear sandals or shoes when doing any physical activity.

2. Prevent insect bites

Apart from preventing injuries caused by physical activity, you also need to prevent insect bites in your children to avoid cellulitis. The following steps can be taken, reported by the New York State Department of Health.

If you encounter a stinging insect, such as a bee, move away quietly and slowly.
Cover sugary foods or drinks when consuming them in the open, so as to prevent insects from coming.
Use closed shoes outdoors to avoid insect stings.
Avoid wearing loose and revealing clothing so that insects can easily enter.
Use mosquito repellent. However, be careful when using insect repellent and read the instructions for use.
Use a mosquito repellent, such as a mosquito repellent sticker or a kid-safe lotion.
When the weather is hot, avoid activities where mosquitoes breed, such as ponds or puddles.
Stay indoors and close doors and windows when mosquitoes are active, such as at dawn and dusk.

3. Treating wounds

Even though you have used a variety of protectors, sometimes wounds are still difficult to avoid. If it has already happened, it's a good idea to take the various steps below to treat wounds in children so they don't become cellulitis.

When it comes to cuts, be sure to clean cuts, scrapes, or other injuries with soap and water.
Apply an antibiotic ointment and cover the wound with a bandage or gauze.
Make sure the child does not touch or scratch cuts, scrapes, or insect bites.
Be diligent in cutting your child's nails.
Check the wound frequently during the first few days to see if there are signs of cellulitis.
Immediately go to the hospital or clinic to get medical treatment for deep wounds, such as stab wounds.