Bug Bite or Cellulitis? What I Noticed with My Son Before It Was Too Late.

Can you get cellulitis from a mosquito bite? Cellulitis from an insect bite? In a word, yes! It’s happened to us. Twice! My son has always had the worst time with bug bites, fly bites, mosquito bites, you name it.

This post is based on my personal experience as a parent recognizing cellulitis from bug bites on my child. What started as what looked like typical bug bites changed quickly, and the photos and details below reflect what I observed in real time. I’m not a medical professional, but I want to share what this looked like for us so other parents know what to watch for.

Cellulitis can look very different in its early stages, especially in children. In our case, the progression was subtle at first and easy to dismiss. Sharing this experience is meant to help other parents recognize when something may be more than a routine reaction and understand why we sought medical care.

Related, relevant content: When a child is non-speaking, infections like cellulitis can be harder to recognize early, which is why awareness and timely medical care matter. How to Tell if a Non-Verbal Child is Sick.

I remember one time when Kevin was a baby, around a year old. We were at an outdoor party. He got this huge fly bite on his leg out of nowhere, no one else even saw the flies or was affected. He screamed bloody murder. I felt awful. Ever since then, whenever we go out as a family, we’ll all come home just fine and he’ll have dozens of bug bites and the rest of us will have none.

Cellulitis from a Bug Bite

Not only will Kevin get more bug bites than the rest of us, but they are always so much worse. Big, red, swollen, itchy. Of course, he scratches them which makes them worse. The other day when he got out of bed, he had two huge bites.

I guess something got him overnight because I would have seen these during his bath. One was on his forehead and one was on his neck. The one on his neck was big and swollen, the size of a golf ball. I didn’t know about sepsis then.

Cellulitis from Mosquito Bite

Anyway, on Friday, his class went to a park for their outing. No surprise, they reported that he got bites on his legs while they were out.

Symptoms of Cellulitis in Legs

However, on Saturday when Kevin woke up, his legs were so much worse. His whole lower legs were swollen, both of them. We jokingly kept telling him he had cankles. His bug bites were warm to the touch and much of his leg was red. I did what any mom does in this day and age of social media, I posted a photo of his legs on Facebook.

I asked for advice and I tried some of the remedies that were given to me. Then a few {nurse} friends mentioned a word I’ve never heard before–cellulitis.

What We Were Told About Cellulitis

At the clinic, we were given a general explanation of what cellulitis is and why it can be serious if left untreated. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and the underlying tissues. It typically occurs when bacteria, such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, enter the skin through a break or crack, such as a cut, scrape, or insect bite.

Common symptoms of cellulitis include:

1. Redness: The affected area of skin appears red and swollen.
2. Pain: The skin may be tender, warm, and painful to touch.
3. Swelling: The area can become swollen and may spread rapidly.
4. Skin changes: The skin may feel tight and stretched, and it may develop a glossy or shiny appearance.
5. Fever: In some cases, a person may develop a fever and feel generally unwell.

Cellulitis most commonly affects the lower legs, but it can occur in other areas of the body as well. It is important to seek medical attention if you suspect you have cellulitis, as it requires prompt treatment with antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading and causing complications.

Please note that while I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment of any medical condition.

Cellulitis and Sepsis

A few of the online sources I read said that cellulitis can lead to sepsis due to strep bacteria and even meningitis. If you know my family, you know that we lost my 8m old niece to meningitis, so the word sends me into a panic. But, by this time it was lunchtime, was it really ER worthy?

Off to the CVS Minute Clinic we went, the one at Longwood. The visit was perfect, with very little waiting. The Nurse Practitioner confirmed that while this could be just how he reacts to bug bites, it could be the beginning of an infection or cellulitis.

Kevin is non-speaking and he has a very high pain and discomfort threshold. That could be a recipe for disaster with something like this. I always err on the side of caution with him. I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on the internet. This is just what she told us to do. Ask your doctor if you think your child’s bite is serious.

Preventing Cellulitis from Insect Bites

Here is what we were advised to watch for and do–

1. Keep nails trimmed short and hands washed, to prevent the spread of infection by scratching.
2. Ask your doctor about an antihistamine, to reduce inflammation and itching and to hopefully make him want to scratch less.
3. NOTE: Benadryl lowers seizure threshold, so please talk with your doctor before giving your child anything.
4. Topical treatments for bites, as usual.
5. Educate yourself on what Sepsis is and what to look for. Sepsis is life-threatening!
6. Good bug repellent to prevent future bites. I just placed an order with Avon.
7. Watch him for any changes and go to ER if concerned, including checking for fever.
8. Stay inside during the worst bug/mosquito times which are morning and evening.
9. Use a good and safe repellent, like skin so soft products from Avon.

Our visit to the CVS Minute Clinic was perfect. It was exactly what we needed. A little something to get us through until he could visit his regular doctor, but not an ER visit. And we wanted something that would cure the infection and prevent it from getting worse. I am calling the doctor first thing tomorrow, but for right now I have peace of mind.

This article is for informational purposes only and reflects our personal experience. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.