What does facial swelling feel like with cellulitis?

Facial Swelling is a common presentation of Cellulitis. The skin may be painful to touch, warmer than nearby skin and increasingly red. The border can spread, although redness may be harder to see on some skin tones. A small wound, insect bite, pimple or cracked skin may be the entry point, but it is not always obvious. Fever, chills, tiredness or swollen glands can occur when the infection is affecting the wider body.

Arrange prompt medical assessment for new facial swelling that is warm, red or painful, because infections in the face may need timely treatment. Do not squeeze a wound or apply leftover antibiotics. Gently clean any visible break in the skin, avoid irritating products, and mark the edge of redness with a pen so you can notice whether it is spreading. Take prescribed treatment exactly as directed.

Seek emergency care for swelling around the eye with vision changes or pain moving the eye, severe headache, confusion, stiff neck, difficulty breathing or swallowing, faintness, rapidly spreading redness, or a high fever with marked weakness. Facial infection can extend into deeper tissues, so worsening symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment.

Ask where the infection may have started, which treatment is appropriate, how soon improvement should begin, how to protect the skin, and which changes mean you should return urgently.