Periorbital Cellulitis In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Periorbital cellulitis is an infection in and under the skin around the eye. It is also called preseptal cellulitis. The infection is caused by germs called bacteria. Periorbital cellulitis is common in children under age 6.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Antibiotics: This medicine will help fight or prevent an infection. Make sure your child takes his antibiotics until they are gone, even if he feels better.
  
  
• Ibuprofen or acetaminophen: These medicines are available without a prescription. They may decrease your child’s pain and fever. Ask how much medicine your child needs and how to give it.
  
  
• Give your child’s medicine as directed: Call your child’s primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not helping or if he has side effects. Tell your child’s primary healthcare provider if your child takes any vitamins, herbs, or other medicines. Keep a list of the medicines he takes. Include the amounts, and when and why he takes them. Bring the list or the medicine bottles for follow-up visits.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin when he is sick. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child’s medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.

Use warm compresses:

Put a warm, damp cloth on your child's eye to help soothe the area. Apply a warm compress to your child's eye as often as directed.

Follow up with your child’s primary healthcare provider in 1 to 2 days:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

Help prevent periorbital cellulitis:

• Have your child wear proper safety equipment to protect his face from injury during sports and other activities.
  
  
• Keep wounds clean and dry. Clean wounds on the face with soap and water. Cover wounds with a dry bandage. Use topical antibiotic ointment on skin breaks to help prevent infection.
  
  
• Have your child’s primary healthcare provider check animal bites and deep wounds right away.

Contact your child’s primary healthcare provider if:

• Your child does not feel better, or his symptoms do not improve in 1 to 2 days.
  
  
• You see red streaks on the skin of the infected area.
  
  
• Your child’s eye becomes more painful and red.
  
  
• You see pus or other fluid coming from your child’s eye.
  
  
• You have questions about your child’s condition or care.

Return to the emergency department if:

• Your child has blurred or double vision and cannot see well in bright light.
  
  
• Your child's infected eye is bulging from his head.
  
  
• Your child has a fever and chills.
  
  
• Your child is more sleepy than usual or is hard to wake.
  
  
• Your child says his neck feels stiff. He may have a headache, and he may vomit.
  
  
• Your child has a seizure.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.