Facial Cellulitis

Facial cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that occurs on the face. The infection is characterized by swelling, redness, warmth, and pain. Risk factors for the condition include problems in the lymphatic system, upper respiratory infections, and infections of the teeth or middle ear. In addition to the appearance of the skin in the affected area, symptoms of facial cellulitis may include fever, chills, irritability, and a swollen, tender, warm tongue. Treatment for facial cellulitis involves antibiotics and recurrence prevention.

 

Facial Cellulitis: An Introduction

Cellulitis is a skin infection characterized by swelling, redness, warmth, and pain. Facial cellulitis, which is one type of cellulitis, is an infection that occurs on the face and can affect people of all age groups. If facial cellulitis is left untreated, it can lead to serious complications.
 

Causes of Facial Cellulitis

Facial cellulitis is an infection caused by bacteria. The most common bacteria that cause facial cellulitis in adults are streptococcus and staphylococcus.
 
Previously, the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) was the most common cause of facial cellulitis among children. As a result of the Hib vaccine, there is no longer a single type of bacteria that is commonly associated with facial cellulitis in children.
 

Facial Cellulitis: Risk Factors

Cellulitis research has shown that people with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop facial cellulitis. Facial cellulitis risk factors include:
 
  • Problems in the lymphatic system
  • Upper respiratory infection
  • Infection of the teeth or middle ear.
 
These risk factors are not causes of cellulitis -- they only increase the chances that a person may develop the infection.
 
(Facial Cellulitis Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD