Pediatric Skin Infections Rising, Doctors Report

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Doctors are troubled by a sharp increase in serious skin infections in children. Such infections sent 67,000 American children to the hospital in 2006 alone.

The youngest children are most at risk -- those 4 and under accounted slightly for more than half of all hospitalizations. But the rate shot up among older teens as well, from about 4,900 cases in 2000 to more than 10,000 in 2006.

Researchers have suggested that increasing rates of antibiotic resistance may be contributing to the problem.

Overuse of unnecessary antibiotics -- for example, to treat ear infections or bronchitis, illnesses most often caused by viruses not bacteria -- have created new breeds of more virulent bugs.

Fortunately, most children still recover with stronger antibiotic treatment.

To reduce children's risk, experts recommended washing your hands frequently when handling babies, and making sure wounds on children are kept clean and covered.

If you see a sore on your child that does not seem to be healing, or that is accompanied by high fever, seek treatment immediately.