The microorganisms responsible for this type of cellulitis are Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species and anaerobes. Cellulite can be caused by infection of wounds in the skin around the eye or may be a secondary infection from infected blood of patients with cellulitis in a different part of the body. It can also be caused by an infection of the neighboring organs, such as sinusitis and upper respiratory tract.
Other causes are related to ocular trauma, insect bites near or around the eyes and surgical procedures around the eyelids. Haemophilus Influenza type B influenza was the cause of this infection, but since the discovery of a vaccine against the virus, cases of periorbital cellulitis through this has been almost nil.
Common symptoms of periorbital cellulitis are pain, swelling, redness and discharge from the eyelid and the surrounding area. Redness of the whites of the eyes or conjunctivitis and inflammation of the front of the whites of the eyes or chemosis may also occur. There are cases where the patient may not be able to open the high and a slight fever. This type of cellulite is usually occurs in children under 10 years of age and most patients are under 5 years old.
In very rare cases the infection has reached the orbit, this infection can endanger one's vision and can lead to sepsis or meningitis. In contrast to orbital cellulitis, periorbital cellulitis does not cause the eyes to protrude or bulge, which limits the movement of the eye and vision, and no pain on eye movement.
Periorbital cellulitis diagnosis is made by taking a detailed medical history that would be important to ask about being bitten by an animal or contact with people who have skin infection, a series of blood tests and eye examination to check vision and eye movement.
Treatment for this type of cellulite is due to a medical specialist or a doctor in a hospital or medical center. Main goal of treatment is to stop the infection spreading to the orbital area that could pose a serious threat to the infected eye. Younger patients often receive intravenous antibiotics while older patients are given antibiotics by mouth. Antibiotics attack bacteria using gram-positive streptococci and staphylococci. Antibiotics are administered, this effect cephalexin, dicloxacillin, and clindamycin.
Pain and swelling in the area can be relieved by warm compresses or warm. Antibiotic eye drops are also used as add-on to the infection. Lubricants such as Vaseline are used for dry skin relief to the infected area. A cotton cloth or sterile swab should be used to manage this to avoid new infections. The lubricants also help prevent crusting of the infected area.
