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.

Types Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body. However, it most often affects the legs, feet, arms, and hands. When the infection occurs in these areas, it is referred to as cellulitis of the extremities.

Cellulitis can also occur:

Within the eye socket (orbital cellulitis) Around the eyes (periorbital cellulitis) On the toes (athlete's foot) On the face (facial cellulitis) Around the anus (perianal cellulitis).

Symptoms ocalized skin redness or inflammation that increases in size as the infection spreads L Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin Pain or tenderness of the area Skin lesion or rash (macule): o Sudden onset o Usually with sharp borders o Rapid growth within the first 24 hourscs Warmth over the area of redness Fever Other signs of infection: o Chills, shaking o Warm skin, sweating o Fatigue o Muscle aches , pains (myalgias) o General ill feeling (malaise) Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

 Nausea and vomiting Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over the joint 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.

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.

Treatment Cellulitis treatment may require hospitalization if it is severe enough to warrant intravenous antibiotics and close observation. At other times, treatment with oral antibiotics and close outpatient follow-up is enough. Treatment is focused on control of the infection and prevention of complications. Antibiotics are given to control infection, and analgesics may be needed to control pain. Elevate the infected area, usually higher than the heart, to minimize swelling. Rest until symptoms improve.

ANATOMY:

Periorbital cellulitis is an acute infection of the tissues surrounding the eye, which may progress to orbital cellulitis with protrusion of the eyeball. Complications include meningitis.

The Anatomy Of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is the infection of the skin and soft tissues typified by swelling, redness, warmth, and pain in the affected areas. The severity of the infection depends on its opportunity to spread and affect other parts of the skin or body. Its infectious nature alone involves complex processes that can become deadly. In fact, cellulitis can affect virtually any part of the body, which is why there are several types of cellulitis, including facial, breast, leg, perianal, periorbital, and orbital cellulitis. This article will discuss cellulitis pathophysiology. Risk Factors Linked To The Onset Of Cellulitis Cellulitis is often triggered by broken skin, such as with lacerations, cuts, puncture wounds, fissures, and animal/insect bites. Cellulitis can also be more prevalent among individuals who have lymphatic obstruction, toe web intertrigo, tinea pedis, pressure ulcers, venous insufficiency, obesity, impaired immune systems, and diabetes. What Happens Under The Microscope When the infectious bacterium invades a vulnerable area (such as an open wound), it overcomes the defensive cells in our body, which includes mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, and neutrophils. These defecnsive cells often act to hold inflammation in just one area. When

infection further progresses cellular debris builds up, and infectious bacteria soon engulfs tissue surrounding and located at the affected area.

Cellulitis pathophysiology: Complications

If the affected area is left untreated, complication is a high possibility. When the skin turns red or a rash occurs, this may indicate a deeper and more severe infection. In this case, infection has most likely reached the inner layers of the skin. When the infectious bacteria are able to reach below the skin, they can spread faster. In this case, bacteria are able to get into the lymph nodes, reach the bloodstream and extend all throughout the body. The infection can spread so easily that if left untreated, bacteria can spread to the deep layer of tissue, or fascial lining. This is called a deep-layer infection. This type of infection is characterized by the flesh-eating strep or necrotizing fasciitis. The prevalence of this condition is quite rare, but individuals who do not treat severe cellulitis definitely have a higher risk of developing necrotizing fasciitis. Streptoccoccus pyogenes is responsible for the flesh-eating strep and actually belongs to the group A streptococcus type of bacteria that causes cellulitis. The flesh-eating bacteria spreads in the deeper skin layer, as that area of the body is softer. Bacteria initially break through the protective skin layer. These organisms contain enzymes that digest protein and therefore enable them to eat their way through the fascia. Soon the bacteria is able to reach muscles and tendons. The fascia becomes liquefied with the enzymes and provide bacteria with the perfect condition to thrive and proliferate at a faster rate. Extremely serious cases like this requires emergency treatment, which may involve surgical procedures, IV antibiotics, oral antibiotics, supportive therapy, or a combination of these. Cellilitis pathophysiology may vary among the different types of celliulitis. For instance, the signs and symptoms surrounding orbital cellulitis (infection of the eye) can be a manifestation of other health conditions such as sinus problems. The most typical paths of infection in this case come from the sinuses or teeth and/or injury in those areas. Proper diagnosis will often determine any underlying cause of cellulitis or the severity of the infection.