Peri-Orbital Cellulitis Leaflet

Emergency Department

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Patient Information Leaflet ED Peri-orbital cellulitis PIAG 407 (152kB)

For parents and carers of children being discharged from hospital having seen a hospital clinician.

Introduction

Periorbital cellulitis is an infection of the eyelid or skin around the eye. It is almost always one sided and sometimes follows a cut or graze to the skin.

Symptoms

• Swollen eyelid
• Eye area can be red, tender, and warm to touch Fever may be present
• Your child may be unable to open the eye fully

Causes

• Periorbital cellulitis can follow a minor injury to the eye
• It can also occur following another infection, such as a cough or cold, where the infection spreads to the eye or following sinusitis.

Treatment

Periorbital cellulitis usually responds well to antibiotics. Treatment with intravenous antibiotics (given into a vein) is usually only needed for more severe cases or those that have not responded to antibiotics given by mouth.

Many children with milder symptoms can have oral antibiotics at home for a 10-day course. You can also give regular pain relief (Paracetamol or Ibuprofen) until any discomfort has improved. We advise that your child is seen by your GP at the end of this course for a review. Please return to the Emergency Department if your child cannot tolerate or take their oral antibiotics.
Some children who need intravenous antibiotics are admitted to hospital initially whilst others can be looked after at home. If you have been discharged for intravenous antibiotics at home the community nursing team will visit every day until your child can be changed to oral antibiotics.

Prevention

It is not always possible to prevent this infection. However, it is important to have your child fully vaccinated, as two of the bacteria known to cause this infection are covered within your child’s current vaccination schedule.
Keep any minor injuries surrounding the eye clean and dry. Remember good hand hygiene before and after cleaning around the eye.

This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.

Complications

Most children recover without any complications. However, periorbital cellulitis can rarely progress to orbital cellulitis. This is where the infection involves the deeper tissues around the eye and the eyeball itself. This is a serious infection, which can cause lasting problems and needs immediate care.

Things to look out for include

• The swelling or redness becoming worse, not better
• Pain when moving the eye
• Change or decrease in vision of the eye
• If the eye appears to stick out or bulge
• Worsening of fever
• Fast, irregular or difficulty breathing
• Changes in behaviour, such as confusion or disorientation

If your child is worsening with the above features, then please return to the Emergency Department. Call 999 for an ambulance if you have serious concerns for your child.

This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.

PIAG: 407