The infection spreads over the area for about 2 days and can involve the tissues below the skin. Your lymph glands may become swollen and tender. You may have a fever and feel ill. If left untreated, the amount of bacteria produced can reach life-threatening levels. Orbital cellulitis, a particularly dangerous infection, usually develops when bacteria enter the soft tissue around the eye socket from the sinuses or a boil near the eye.
Infected tissues swell around the eye, causing it to bulge out.
There is usually redness in the eye, swollen eyelids, severe pain, and fever. Other rare complications can include a temporary loss of vision, pus coming out of the eye, and meningitis if the infection spreads to the brain. Your doctor will examine the affected area and make a diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin. He or she may order a wound culture and blood tests. In most cases your doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic drug that you will take for about 2 weeks.