Erythema

Definition

Erythema is the medical term for redness of the skin or mucous membranes caused by increased blood flow in superficial capillaries. It often presents as a primary response to infection, inflammation, or irritation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Erythema is a common symptom of bacterial infections of the skin, such as cellulitis and impetigo.
2. During innate immune responses, erythema can result from the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine.
3. It is frequently observed in conditions involving skin inflammation like eczema and psoriasis.
4. Erythema can be accompanied by other signs of inflammation such as heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function (the five cardinal signs).
5. Diagnostic methods for erythema include physical examination and sometimes dermatoscopy to determine underlying causes.

Review Questions

• What physiological changes cause erythema?
• How does erythema relate to bacterial skin infections?
• Which inflammatory mediators are primarily responsible for causing erythema?

Related terms

Inflammation:

A biological response to harmful stimuli characterized by redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function.

Histamine:

A compound involved in local immune responses that causes vasodilation and increased vascular permeability leading to redness and swelling.

Cellulitis:

A bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues characterized by redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.