What Are The 5 Signs of Acute Inflammation?

Signs of Acute Inflammation: Causes & Treatment

As medically complicated as it may sound, acute inflammation is quite normal and usually an immune response. Soreness in your throat at times of common cold or flu is an example of acute inflammation. It persists temporarily and is a quick response by your immune system to an injury or an illness.

Now, as acute as it may sound, there are signs to look for and consult a medical expert in case of an emergency. Therefore, keep scrolling to read more about the signs of acute inflammation and identify them.

Top 5 Signs of Acute Inflammation

The following are the signs of acute inflammation that may be observed in the specific area of injury or inflammation in your body:

1. Pain

Right after an injury or inflammation in any part of your body, you feel pain that is caused by nerve stimulation due to the release of chemicals and exertion of pressure in the area affected. Pain due to inflammation causes discomfort but can be relieved by the use of over-the-counter painkillers.

2. Redness

Redness is a typical response of our bodies to an injury and is usually followed by pain. It is a result of sudden blood flow in the area affected. Apply cold compress to reduce the redness to a certain extent in the affected body part.

3. Swelling

In most cases, the area affected by acute inflammation swells up, causing discomfort and pain. It is a result of the accumulation of fluids in the area of injury, which can be a cause of concern in some cases and thus needs to be monitored closely.

4. Heat

Due to acute inflammation, the affected body part usually experiences an increase in blood flow, which in turn results in the feeling of heat in that area. A cold compress or soaking that part of the body in cold water can help you feel better and reduce the pain and heath in the affected area.

5. Inability to Function

One of the serious signs of acute inflammation is the loss of function in the affected area of your body, as it can affect your day-to-day activities. It is followed by other signs like swelling and pain, and needs to be examined, if serious.

What Causes Acute Inflammation?

Potentially, acute inflammation is caused by factors that damage the tissues of your body in any way. The causes can be physical like an external injury or wasp bite, chemical, like exposure to harmful drugs and pollutants, or it can be a result of the presence of unwanted microbes in your body like bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

In some cases, allergens like certain food items, animal contact, etc. can also trigger an immune response in our body causing acute inflammation.

Does Acute Inflammation Require A Treatment?

Considering that acute inflammation is a short-lived immune response of our body to a physical or chemical trauma, it does not really require immediate medical treatment unless turned chronic. However, the following are some measures that you can consider to relieve the discomfort caused by inflammation:

• Apply a cold compress on the area affected to reduce redness and swelling. Do not overuse the ice packs as it may cause ice burns.
• In case of an injury, clean the wound and consider first aid to stop bleeding. Do not leave the wound open as it may become prone to bacterial infections.
• Do not use the affected body part and consider taking rest, as it helps in the early repair of the tissues.

Some or all of the above-mentioned signs of acute inflammation may be observed in combination, therefore you must look out for the severity of the symptoms. It is a temporary discomfort and lasts for a short period, however, if it persists for a longer duration, you must consult a medical examiner and get it checked.

Also Read:

→ Symptoms of High Altitude Cerebral Edema

→ Symptoms of Lupus Erythematosus

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→ Symptoms of Osteitis Pubis

→ Symptoms of a Systemic Disease