Look out for Skin Infections this Summer!

Look out for Skin Infections this Summer!
January 12, 2007

In recent years hospitalisations for the treatment of serious skin infections have been increasing in New Zealand and none more so than during summer when children are prone to grazes, cuts and insect bites.

Dr Teuila Percival, a paediatrician at Kidz First Children’s Hospital, sees first-hand the effects of serious skin infections which have been left untreated.

“We see a lot of skin infections at Kidz First with cellulitis being the most common. It affects all ages, both children and adults and is an infection that comes on very rapidly,” says Dr Percival.

Serious skin infections like cellulitis (an acute bacterial infection of the soft tissues of the skin) and abscesses (a cavity containing pus, which may also incorporate cellulitis), are largely cause by bacteria that gets past the protective layer of skin.

A skin infection may simply start out as a mosquito bite that the child then scratches. Bacteria can enter the skin causing an infection. If left untreated, complications can arise.

It’s a good thing most skin infections are preventable, or easily treated if detected early. Untreated skin infections can affect your blood, kidneys, bones, joints, lymph nodes and brain, and sometimes people need to be hospitalised for treatment. Deeper abscesses can form in the lungs, kidneys, joints, muscles, bone and brain.

What puts children at risk of skin infections?

Children are more at risk when living in an environment where bacteria are passed easily from person to person. This may happen in over-crowded houses where some amenities are lacking, for example, hot water, washing machine or drier, first aid supplies, linen and towels; or when there is poor access to adequate nutrition and medical care.

Children who have eczema and other breaks in the skin are more susceptible to skin infections. 90% of sufferers already carry the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus on their skin, and the dryness, cracking, itching and scratching that eczema causes, increases the chance of the bacteria breaking through the skin.

Injuries and insect bites are also culprits in spreading bacteria, especially during summer when they are most common. Grazes, cuts, sharp objects, sports injuries, burns, accidental falls, bites, stings, infestations, scabies and head lice are some of the reasons the skin may become broken. Once broken, there is a risk of infection.

Poor hand hygiene (not washing and drying hands frequently and thoroughly) is also a risk factor. People carry bacteria on their hands and pass it on to others when touching things, especially if they have sneezed or coughed and not covered their mouth and nose. Some bacteria, like Streptococci, Staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes or 'school sores', can cause disease once under the skin.

“The most important thing parents and caregivers can do is to keep an eye on their children’s skin. Look for red spots and scratches and ask your children to tell you if they have any broken skin.”

“Keep skin clean with a daily bath or shower. If an infection develops, use an antiseptic like Savlon as a first defence and keep it covered with a plaster. If the sore is getting bigger, has pus in it or red streaks coming out of the sore you should go and see your doctor”.

People also need to remember to take all the medication prescribed by a doctor. If you don’t take a whole course of antibiotics it may not cure the infection. The medication for one child or family member may not be suitable for another so a visit to the doctor is necessary if another family member develops a skin infection.

Dr Percival says most cases that come to hospital can be easily treated with a course of intravenous antibiotics.

Three simple ways to prevent skin infections: Clean, Cut and Cover!

- Clean your hands

- Cut your fingernails short

- Cover sores with a fabric plaster

Hygiene

- Wash hands vigorously with soap and running water for at least 15 seconds, especially before eating and after going to the toilet.

- Make sure hands are dried thoroughly as well – 20 seconds for dry paper towels, 45 seconds on an air-drier.

- Wash your body all over every day with clean water and soap.

- Avoid sharing towels, clothing, bedding and bath water.

- Wash bedding weekly and clothes regularly.

- Keep fingernails short and clean to stop scratches.

Wellbeing

- Try to get plenty of sleep.

- Eat 5 plus a day of fruit and vegetables.

Protect Yourself!

- Use insect repellent if you are likely to get bitten by mosquitoes and other insects.

- Cover up with long sleeves and trousers at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are at their worst.

- Get rid of things (buckets etc.) that hold water that could attract mosquitoes’.

- Don’t leave windows open and lights on at night.

- Use mosquito screens or net curtains to keep mozzies out!

Cleaning Sores

- Put a cup of warm water and ½ a teaspoon of salt in a basin and use a clean cloth to soak and wash the sores. Put the cloth in the rubbish.

- Dry sores with another clean cloth and then put the cloth in the rubbish.

- Cover the sores with clean gauze cloth or fabric plaster.

- Wash hands and dry them really well after cleaning.

- Check sores daily – if they get worse, see your doctor.

www.skininfections.co.nz.

ENDS

www.wellchild.org.nz

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