Cellulitis is potentially severe bacterial infection of the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. Children's Hospital Boston reports that cellulitis often affects the skin on a child's arms, legs or face, but can affect the skin anywhere on the body. The most common causes of cellulitis, according to the online medical library Merck Manuals, are staphylococcus and streptococcus, though other type of bacteria may also cause this infection.
Skin Effects
Cellulitis causes redness, swelling, warmth and tenderness at the affected area. Merck Manuals reports that these symptoms are caused both by the bacteria and by the body's attempt to kill the bacteria. They also note that the skin may become "slightly pitted, like an orange peel." Other effects of cellulitis on the skin are bruising, pain, blisters and streaks of red at the original infection site.
Flu-like Symptoms
The Children's Hospital Boston reports that fever, chills, headache and weakness can be symptoms of cellulitis in children. Some might also experience rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure and/or confusion.
Lymph Node Involvement
If the infection is severe, according to Merck Manuals, it may spread through the underlying tissue of the skin and to the lymph nodes. This spreading of the bacterial infection causes the lymph nodes to become larger than normal, and they may be tender to the touch.
Bacteremia
If the bacteria causing cellulitis in the child spread beyond the lymph nodes and into the blood, a potentially fatal condition called bacteremia may result. Merck Manuals reports that bacteremia may cause fever, fast heartbeat and rapid breathing. A condition called sepsis can result from bacteremia, occurring when there are large numbers of bacteria in the blood stream. Sepsis causes the whole body to become inflamed, causing the blood to clot in the blood stream, and potentially resulting in death.
