A 40-year-old woman presents with a red, swollen face. She says it came on suddenly over the past couple of days and she feels warm and feverish. She has a known history of rosacea. What is your evaluation and plan?
While rosacea can cause redness and swelling, the sudden onset and fever suggest a potential infection, such as cellulitis, which can be a medical emergency. This requires immediate evaluation, which may include blood tests or a skin culture. Treatment typically involves oral or intravenous antibiotics.