What is orbital cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an artificial inflammation of the skin due to bacterial invasion and other irritants. This condition affects any area of your body but is mostly detected on the skin of your lower limbs or your face. This infection spreads fast and rapidly if not treated.

If nasal drainage is blocked, infections of the ethmoidal cells may break through the ethmoidal wall of the orbit, producing orbital cellulitis. Cellulitis is inflammation of the ethmoidal cellular or connective tissue. Severe infections resulting from this source may cause blindness because some posterior ethmoidal cells lie close to the optical canal.

Although rare, orbital cellulitis is dangerous and may be life threatening.

Causes of orbital cellulitis

Orbital cellulitis is known to occur in three varying situations:

• It may appear as an extension from the orbital structures, most probably the paranasal sinuses, or the face and other head injuries. Venous drainage from the middle third of the face, including the paranasal sinuses, is mainly via the orbital veins, which are without valves allowing the passage of infection both interrogates and retrograde.
  
• It may occur due to direct inoculation of the orbit from trauma or surgery. Surgical removal of orbital tumors or growths may increase one' susceptibility to getting cellulitis. Infectious material may be introduced into the orbit directly from accidental or surgical trauma.
  
• It may in certain instances represent a hematogenous spread from bacteremia. Bacteremia is the presence of bacteria in the bloodstream.

However, ethmoid sinusitis remains the most common cause of orbital cellulitis in all age groups. Ethmoid sinusitis is commonly due to aerobic non-spore-forming bacteria.

Symptoms of orbital cellulitis

About 75 percent of orbital cellulitis cases are related to sinusitis, especially ethmoiditis.

Symptoms of orbital cellulitis include:

• Erythema or edema of the eyelids (common to all orbital infections)
• Proptosis
• Ophthalmoplegia (suggestive of orbital cellulitis, orbital or subperiosteal abscess)
• Fever
• Pain
• Decreased visual acuity (associated with advanced infection)
• Conjunctivitis or pinkeye

Orbital cellulitis is more prevalent in children over five years of age. This is because most cases of ethmoiditis are associated with ethmoid sinus which is more prevent in school going kids than in adults.

Treatment option for cellulitis

As already mentioned, orbital cellulitis is more prevalent in kids. So if you observe any of the above-mentioned symptoms in your child, rush him/her to the clinic. Health specialists often prescribe antibiotics to stop this condition and to stop it from spreading. Doctors say antibiotics are good for stopping the spread of the infection and preventing damage to the optic nerve, which transmits visual images to the brain.

If cellulitis becomes severe, one or both eyes may be affected, and eye sockets or sinus cavities may have to be drained. These surgical procedures should be performed by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) or otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist).

If according to your doctor sinusitis is a cause of your cellulitis, SinusWars4 or SinusWars9 are the remedies for your condition. Help your doctor define your symptoms and determine which sinuses are involved. Learn more about sinusitis.