Cellulitis
Cellulitis spreading under eye
Red, swollen cheek with infection spreading to neck
Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deepest layers of the skin. Dentally, infection may be from an infected tooth, periodontal disease or pericoronitis spreading to areas of the face, head and neck. Cellulitis can be a serious condition and infections of the floor of the mouth involving any swelling that may block the airway are known as Ludwig’s Angina.
Cellulitis is not contagious.
Patients who have diabetes or impairment of the immune system (for example, from HIV/AIDS or from drugs that depress the immune system) are particularly prone to developing cellulitis.
What to look for
- Swelling and reddening of skin
- Pain
- Fever
- Trismus (inability to open jaw / mouth)
- Drooling
Treatment
Antibiotics – Penicillin (see Teeth Relief manual page 52).
Remove cause of infection – usually by incision, drainage, and extraction of tooth.
Refer the patient to hospital.
Risk factors
Weak immune system – Conditions that weaken your immune system — such as diabetes, leukemia, also medications, such as steroids
HIV/AIDS – leave you more susceptible to infections
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