What is the term for redness due to inflammation?

Erythema is the term used to describe redness of the skin that occurs due to inflammation. This redness is a result of increased blood flow to the affected area, often due to conditions that cause irritation or inflammation, such as infections, allergies, or exposure to certain environmental factors. When blood vessels expand in response to inflammatory mediators, it leads to the characteristic redness associated with erythema.

The other terms refer to different conditions: oedema describes swelling caused by fluid accumulation, cyanosis refers to a bluish discoloration of the skin due to inadequate oxygenation, and dermatitis is a general term for skin inflammation that can include various symptoms like redness, but does not specifically denote the redness itself as erythema does. Understanding these distinctions is vital in skin analysis and appropriate treatment selection.