What should you know about cellulitis on face from pimple?

A pimple is usually centred on a small blocked or inflamed follicle. Cellulitis affects surrounding deeper tissue, so the area may become increasingly warm, painful, firm or swollen. Colour change can extend across the cheek, jaw or nose, and the skin may look shiny. Pus in the original spot does not prove cellulitis, but spreading inflammation after squeezing or picking deserves attention. Fever or fatigue can accompany infection. Facial infections need careful examination because swelling near the eye can threaten vision or indicate deeper spread.

Contact a clinician promptly rather than repeatedly squeezing the blemish or applying harsh acids. Wash gently, avoid sharing towels or cosmetics and keep hands away from the area. A clean, cool compress may ease discomfort, but it does not treat a deeper infection. Tell the clinician when the pimple changed, whether the swelling is spreading and whether you have fever. Prescribed antibiotics should be taken as directed; do not self-treat with leftover tablets.

Seek urgent care for swelling around the eye, vision changes, severe headache, difficulty opening the mouth, rapidly spreading swelling, severe pain, confusion or fever with a markedly unwell feeling. These may indicate a serious facial infection or Sepsis. Do not wait for a facial infection to settle if it is progressing.

Ask whether the inflammation is limited to the follicle or involves deeper tissue, whether an abscess needs treatment, how close it is to the eye, and which changes mean you should return immediately.