Cellulitis: A Skin Infection

be fed orally because of blistering in the mouth and throat. Any movement of the

Cellulitis is an acute inflammatory illness of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue (Black, 2009, p. 1225). The pathophysiology of cellulitis initiates when bacteria enters the skin, most commonly being streptococcus and/or staphylococcus. When the bacteria extends deeper into the dermis it causes an infection. Causing skin symptoms such as redness, swelling, and tenderness around the site of the infection. Skin areas that may be dry and flaking, broken, or wounded are the most prominent sites for bacteria to enter. Typically, cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. Possible complications of untreated cellulitis include: septicemia, muscle or bone infections, cellulitis around an eye may spread to the brain, bloodstream may spread to the

Upon healing, the infected skin showing signs of cellulitis will begin to regenerate and the blistered areas will flake off like old skin.

Children are among the most vulnerable segment of the health care population. They rely on the good judgment and the care of adults to guide them to the best and safest possible treatments. Part of our responsibility, as adults, is to inform ourselves so that we can participate in a constructive way in that equation.

As such, the diagnosis and management of AOM has a significant impact on the health of children, cost of providing care, and overall use of antibacterial agents (AAFP, 2004). Watchful waiting can have many benefits for the children and the provider if used properly. Diagnosing AOM can be tricky. The signs and symptoms can also be related to other illnesses such as an upper respiratory virus. Throwing antibiotics at any illness use to be the course of action. However, now that there is evidence that bacteria have become resistant to some antibiotics, clinicians are testing out other means of treating illnesses. If the child presenting with symptoms of AOM has no underlying conditions and has means to follow up with the doctor if the symptoms progress, watchful waiting is an appropriate approach for treating the child. According to the research, placebo controlled trials have shown that children have responded well without antibacterial intervention. Giving the opportunity for the illness to resolve without antibacterial intervention not only benefits the child but, the caregivers and the clinician. It benefits the child by not being exposed to antibiotics that are not needed, therefore creating a potential resistance to that antibiotic. It benefits the caregiver by not spending money on a medication their child does not need. Last, it benefits the clinician by preventing resistance to an antibiotic that may be useful in the near future.

When children or young people are unwell or injured inform the designated first aider, ensure the surrounding environment is safe. Assess signs and symptoms and take appropriate action and inform parent/carers. For e.g. a child is not acting themselves, feels hot to touch. Then remove clothing as necessary, use a cold flannel to cool them down. Make them comfortable and take their temperature. Ensure this is recorded in an incident log. Inform the parent/carer that the child is unwell and to come and collect them if

- wounds and breaks in the skin (pathogens enter the body through mucus membranes, nose, mouth, gut, genital urinary track - catheters, or wounds like surgical incisions which can cause e.g. MRSA).

Two of the most common clinical symptoms in childhood disorders is fever and pain . At times when parents present with their children and the different concerns that they have noticed, we as healthcare providers must take them serious and evaluate and investigate each individual circumstance.

The aggressive treatment by the physician is necessary due to the immature immune system and the susceptibility to illness. Infections that are left

Billy is a 3 year old little boy who until recently has been a happy, playful child. He is presenting with malaise, fever, and what appears to be tiny, red blisters in his mouth and throat and beginning on his hands and feet that are painful to the touch. His mother states that he has felt bad for a couple of days and now doesn 't want to eat or drink. He is also complaining of a "tummy ache". He attends a daycare with 10 other children. His mother states that she had been "looking things up on on the internet" and thought Billy at first had the flu. Upon assessment, he is diagnosed with Coxsackie virus, also known as Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease. As Billy 's mom discovered in her internet search, "Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease" is just one of many infections that can cause mouth sores. Often a search for the symptoms of basic medical conditions can lead people to content on more serious illnesses, therefore increasing their fears that something tragic is occuring. Billy 's mom was afraid that her son had not the flu, but something much more serious. His diagnosis of Coxsackie however, relieved her

Chicken pox- Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness that most children catch at some point. It causes a rash of red, itchy spots that turn into fluid-filled blisters. They then crust over to form scabs, which eventually drop off. However, even before the rash appears, the child may have some mild flu-like symptoms including:

This dermal infection can occur at any age but particularly affects young children from the ages two to five years old. Globally, it affects more than 162 million children, predominantly those that attend school or daycares are more likely to contract

After reading Kelly’s story I researched different skin infections that may cause a rash on a person. Four different infections I found were Scabies, Impetigo, also known as Indian Fire, Cellulitis, and Folliculitis (7). Scabies is a contagious rash caused by the itch mite Sarcoptes scabiei (6). Scabies is a rash that produces red itchy bumps (6). Impetigo is caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria (5). Impetigo is extremely contagious and is spread by close contact (5). Cellulitis can be caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (4). Cellulitis is not contagious but causes a red heated rash in the area of infection (4). Lastly, Folliculitis was listed as a rash causing infection. Folliculitis is a skin infection that causes a rash around the hair follicles that look like red pimples (3). Although it can be caused by certain bacteria, causing damage to the hair follicles can cause this infection (8). The normal bacteria that causes Folliculitis is Staphylococcus aureus (3).

Breaks in the skin would be a portal of entry in to the body where the body becomes a reservoir for the bacteria to grow and spread. However, even bacteria can grow on unbroken skin surfaces. In the case of impetigo, usually this infection is a result of an already present rash, rash as a reaction due to poison ivy, over-wiping your nose when you have a cold, etc. The constant rubbing and scratching breaks the skin and become infected from the already present bacteria that live on the body like staph (Durani, 2011). Therefore, when infected, try to keep the child or person from touching the area and be sure to washing your hands after applying any ointment so as to not infect yourself.

It is an infection caused by pathogens such as viruses, but more likely bacteria, especially when children are getting sick. In particular, the "responsible" is the number one affection Streptococcus, to be defeated, as we shall see in a moment, with the right