Cellulitis – Symptoms and Treatment

 Cellulitis is a condition characterized by swelling and infection in any area of the skin. The infection occurs mainly in soft tissue areas. It may occur around the eyes, orbital cellulitis, on the palm, on the upper part of the palm, on the buttocks or anywhere on the skin. It generally starts as a small boil, or an insect bite or a cut. The child generally scratches it and infection sets in. The area initially becomes red and hot. The child develops fever. There is pain in the area. The area becomes tender to touch and gets swollen. In case of orbital cellulitis, the whole eye becomes swollen. The eye is surrounded by a red area. It is extremely painful and there is associated headache. In case of the hand there is difficulty in moving the hand.

Gradually the infection starts to spread.  According to Dr. Mubina Agboatwalla – A child specialist in Karachi, If not controlled then pus starts to develop and the cellulitis may turn into an abscess. In the early stages antibiotic treatment should be started. Appropriate antibiotic to cover grand positive organism should be given. Generally, the cellulitis responds appropriate antibiotics. If however, the cellulitis does not respond an abscess forms. The abscess then needs to be drained by a small incision.