Question About Cellulitis in a Child

I just went throught the same thing when my daughter was bit by a dog on her arm. The hole is "normal" and it will eventually heal over in time just fine. That was where the puse was stored. Is the site completely healed over with a hole under the skin or you are saying there is a hole that you can see that is not covered by skin?? B/c it is normal for there to be a hole after getting out the infection..but not normal for there to be a pocket under the skin after it has heald over..hope this helps.

Tomorrow is probably fine but give the docs a call just to be sure. Did they do a culture on the pus? That would tell you exactly what the bacteria is and when it should heal. If there's still that much discharge, it may be something else and you may need a stronger antibiotic. Also, if you're getting a good amount out of it, it would be normal for there to be a bit of a cavity left afterward. It should close up and heal just fine though. Good luck to you.

If the cellulitis is coming from a Staph Infection, DO NOT FOOL AROUND WITH IT! Get your child to a Doctor immediately, if something doesn't look right to you!

What you're describing actually sounds like an abscess, where the skin heals over, but there is a pocket of infection underneath, eating away healthy tissue!

It takes very little for a Staph infection to turn into MRSA and migrate into the bloodstream, and once that happens, a small infection can become life threatening, damaging internal organs and the brain!

I have just gone through a two year period with my best friend, who contracted MRSA from a simple staph infection, and spent over 8 months in the hospital. I don't want to frighten you, but this has ruined her life and her health!
Please take your child back to the doctor, or to a hospital emergency room to be checked out again, as soon as possible!

I wouldn't risk it. I would call the doctor. I would rather do that then let it go and it get worse. I know it is alot of going back and forth and co pays for you but you really should take him to the doctor. They probably told you at the last appointment to come for a recheck Friday but if something changes to bring him in before then. I wouldn't let it go another day. Call....they may tell you to keep an eye on it until tomorrow's appointment. But it may be something more serious and they will want to see him sooner.

Kathy-
I worked in a pediatrician's office for a few years. Our doctors treated cellulitis very carefully. It can be very dangerous in children (adults too). I would definitely call the doctor today and not wait until Friday.

Good luck,
J.

Hi ~ cellulitis can be so serious! My son was hospitilized for 4 days with IV's for this. Good luck!

Hi Kathy,

My son was diagnosed with cellulitis on his eyelid two months ago, and he was also put on antibiotics to further prevent the infection. I didn't mess with it since it was on his eyelid, but his eye was quite swollen and his eyelid was very red and hot to the touch. It took about a week for the redness and swelling to go down.

Personally, I would be concerned if there is a "hole" under your son's skin where you have expressed some pus and blood. I doubt that the infection has eaten away at muscle tissue, but it may have gotten deeper into his skin and he may have to go on a heavier antibiotic. He may also have had a small cyst, which caused the large amount of pus and blood when you initially popped the sore (I have had lots of them and they are pretty gross). If it were me, I would have him rechecked sooner rather than later in order to rule out a deeper infection.

Hope he starts to feel better soon!

stop squeezing it, let it heal naturally !

My doc thought my daughter had cellulitis. What I remember is a) it can only be truly diagnosed with a blood test. 2) it is very serious for a baby/toddler because it can spread rapidly. so, you don't want and mess around with it. I know you're probably busy and want to wait, but I'd just go now. It sounds like the tissue is infected. Your baby boy might need a more tough antibiotic.