6 Year Old Went Swimming In The Ocean And Came Out With A Skin Infection

#1 When the mercury soars this summer, will you beat the heat at the beach?

You won't be alone! I've always found it mystifying how hordes of sun worshipers can flock to the beach on a hot day to battle crowds for a spot on scorching sand. But there's a certain allure, to be sure. You can't really replicate the way waves crash on the shore or the feeling of sand between your toes the cool sand beneath the stove-top surface, of course. And you can't beat the people-watching at the beach, too.

But it's not all sandcastles and volleyball at the beach. There are dangers to watch out for, especially when kids are involved. And let's face it, they're the ones who really have fun at the beach. So heed this mother's warning for a safe, fun time at the beach with your family this summer!

#2 A sunny day at the beach turned into a nightmare for a girl in Virginia after a simple dip in the ocean.

Bella Sullivan, 6, was out with her mom Nicole one day at the popular Huntington Beach in Newport News.

#3 Bella, known for her bright smile, swam as normal and had a happy, splashy day.

The only thing out of the normal was a small cut on her cheek.

#4 Although the beach had a warning about unsafe conditions a day earlier, that notification had been lifted.

#5 Now, Bella's mom has a warning for other parents: Even if the bacteria levels are deemed safe, sometimes it's best to wait anyway.

Swimming with an open cut just invites the bacteria in, even when their numbers are reduced. And Bella's face is proof of how bad it can be...

#6 When Bella woke up the next morning, her trademark bright smile was gone and Bella was almost unrecognizable

Her skin was red, itchy, and swollen. She couldn't even open her eyes.

#7 Her doctor diagnosed her with impetigo, a skin infection that, according to the Mayo Clinic, is common and highly contagious.

Impetigo typically affects infants and children, causing red sores to break out around the mouth and nose and on the hands and feet. The treatment calls for topical steroids and antibiotics.

#8 The city's environmental health manager says that the bacteria in the water at Huntington Beach can include human waste.

And he emphasized that levels will constantly fluctuate, so there will always be a risk swimming in the ocean.

For her part, Bella's mom says, "If you plan to take your child to the beach, see if they have any openings in their skin, hold off on going to the beach perhaps if you do see anything like that or cover them up really well. I wouldn't want anything like that to happen to other kids, it's very painful."