The wound has become extremely tender. Pain or swelling has increased 48 hours after the wound occurred. The lymph node draining that area of skin may become large and tender. The wound hasn't healed within 10 days after the injury.
Examples are insect bites, chickenpox, scabies, or acne.
If a child picks at these rashes, the skin can become broken and then infected. The hands are at increased risk for infection from puncture wounds. The penetrating claws or teeth of cats pose a major risk for infection. Cellulitis can sometimes start without any recent wound infection. This type of cellulitis is spread from the bloodstream and can be serious it is not treated.