I’m a first aider – here’s what you must do if you spot a red mark tracking up your child’s leg

FIRST AIDERS have issued an urgent warning to parents after a child developed a terrifying red line on their foot

A mum sent a photo of her child’s foot to the experts, in which the red rash can be seen creeping up the foot towards the leg.

Pictured: Lymphangitis can be seen travelling up the child’s footInstagram / Tiny Hearts

“So many people told me it was fine,” she said, “but knew something was off.”

Doctors diagnosed the little one with lymphangitis, a bacterial infection of the lymph vessels, which are part of the immune system.

Along with lymph nodes and ducts, they help carry infected fluids away from the site of an infection.

However, lymphangitis can also be caused by other things like viruses, fungal infections, and insect bites, the first aiders explain in an Instagram post. ⁠

The red streak starts at the infected area and “tracks” up towards the armpit or groin. ⁠

“It is a sign that the infection is getting worse and that you need to seek medical assessment and treatment which is usually antibiotics,” they said.

If treated quickly, the condition can be mild. But if left untreated, complications can occur and the condition can lead to something more serious such as sepsis.

“You can keep track of the spread of the redness by drawing a border around it so you can easily identify if it is getting worse,” the first aiders suggested.

How to prevent lymphangitis

It’s important that you know the signs of lymphangitis – but there are also ways that you can prevent it.

To reduce your chances of getting a skin infection you should keep your skin clean and keep fingernails clipped short – this will stop dirt getting under them which would harbour nasty bacteria.

You should also take steps to avoid injury to the skin and wear protective gear during sports.

If you’re partaking in exercises such as hiking then you should wear long sleeves as this will help prevent you being bitten by insects such as mosquitoes.

You should also avoid swimming in natural waters if you have cuts or sores.

If bites occur then you should clean them and see your doctor immediately if they become red or swollen.

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