Which term describes abnormal redness of the skin resulting from dilation of blood vessels (as in sunburn or inflammation)?

Which term describes abnormal redness of the skin resulting from dilation of blood vessels (as in sunburn or inflammation)?

• A. Folliculitis
• B. Debridement
• C. Ather
• D. Erythema

Answer: (D)

Redness from the skin due to widening of the superficial blood vessels is erythema. When blood vessels dilate, more blood flows near the surface, giving the skin a red color. This happens in sunburn as UV exposure triggers inflammatory mediators that cause vasodilation, and in many inflammatory states where increased blood flow to the area leads to redness and warmth. The other terms describe different things: folliculitis is infection and inflammation of hair follicles; debridement is the removal of dead tissue; ather is related to arterial plaques and is not a skin color change.

Redness from the skin due to widening of the superficial blood vessels is erythema. When blood vessels dilate, more blood flows near the surface, giving the skin a red color. This happens in sunburn as UV exposure triggers inflammatory mediators that cause vasodilation, and in many inflammatory states where increased blood flow to the area leads to redness and warmth. The other terms describe different things: folliculitis is infection and inflammation of hair follicles; debridement is the removal of dead tissue; ather is related to arterial plaques and is not a skin color change.