Symptoms of Facial Cellulitis
Facial
cellulitis symptoms occur at the location of the infected skin (local
cellulitis symptoms) or on other parts of the body (systemic cellulitis symptoms).
Common local and systemic symptoms of facial cellulitis include:
- Fever
- Irritability
- Swelling and redness of the cheek
- Itching and burning of the cheek
- Swollen, tender, warm tongue.
Other symptoms of facial cellulitis may include:
- Chills
- Body aches
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite.
Diagnosing Facial Cellulitis
Your doctor can make a facial
cellulitis diagnosis by asking a number of questions, reviewing your medical history, performing a physical exam, and ordering certain blood tests. The most reliable way of diagnosing facial cellulitis is by examining the affected area. An area affected by cellulitis will be:
- Red
- Warm to the touch
- Swollen
- Painful.
Your doctor will also look for breaks in your skin (such as cuts, bruises, scrapes, eczema, or other skin conditions) where bacteria could have entered. A blood test can determine if there is any indication of an infection.
Treatment of Facial Cellulitis
The goal of facial
cellulitis treatment is to treat the affected area and any underlying conditions that would cause a reoccurrence. Specific treatment for facial cellulitis includes antibiotics and recurrence prevention.
Facial cellulitis treatment will begin with antibiotics. Depending on the severity of facial cellulitis, antibiotics are given either in the hospital, at home, or in a combination of these two locations. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to penicillin.
Up to 30 percent of people who receive treatment for facial cellulitis will experience a recurrence of the infection. Therefore, doctors may prescribe antibiotics for longer periods of time for patients who continue to get facial cellulitis.
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