Advice intended for parents/carers taking their child home after seeing a hospital based healthcare professional.
Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin. It can occur at any age.
Cellulitis often follows injury to the skin, which may be minor, such as a scratch or insect bite. It can also occur following surgery. It occurs more commonly in children with an underlying skin condition (such as eczema) or in children with diabetes.
If your child has any of the following:
Is under 3 months old with temperature more than 38°C or under 36°C (unless fever in the 48 hours following vaccinations and no other red features)
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features
Continue providing your child’s care at home using the advice below. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111. Keep monitoring your child for red and amber features and seek help if they develop
Cellulitis usually responds well to antibiotics. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics (given into a vein) is usually only needed for more severe cases or those that have not responded to antibiotics given by mouth.
Some children who need intravenous antibiotics are admitted to hospital initially whilst others can be looked after at home. These children would come into hospital once a day for someone to look at them and for their antibiotics to be given.
The decision on when to change from intravenous to oral antibiotics (tablets or liquid) will be made by the medical team caring for your child. This will depends on how quickly your child responds to treatment (improvement in fever, pain and sometimes their blood tests) and whether your child has other health conditions. Antibiotics are usually given for a total of 7 days. You can give regular pain relief (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) until any discomfort his improved.
To help ease discomfort, if your child has cellulitis of the arm or leg, you can raise the affected limb on some pillows to reduce swelling. You can give regular pain relief (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) until the pain has improved. Please note that Ibuprofen should not be used if your child has chicken pox.
Most children recover without any complications. However, if you are concerned that your child's condition is getting worse (See table above), you should contact your discharging ward.
Call 999 for an ambulance if you have serious concerns for your child.
Not all cases of cellulitis can be prevented, but steps can be taken to reduce the risk of it developing. Cuts, grazes or bites should be cleaned immediately. Keep the wound covered with a clean plaster or dressing. This will create a barrier against bacteria entering the skin.
Also remember good hand hygiene. Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and always wash your hands when treating a wound or skin condition.
This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight
