Inflammatory Response

The inflammatory response is the body's second line of defense when pathogens slip past the skin. It helps contain infection and begin the healing process.

It is nonspecific, which means it doesn’t target just one kind of germ, but works against many types of pathogens.

This defense responds quickly, often causing redness, warmth, swelling, or pain around an injury.

For instance, a scraped knee creates an opening in the skin, allowing dangerous microbes to enter.

In response, your body releases chemicals that widen nearby blood vessels and make them more permeable, so fluid and immune cells can move into the injured area.

More blood flows to the area, causing redness and warmth, while fluid leaking out causes swelling and pain.

These changes allow white blood cells to rush to the site and attack pathogens.

Some of these white blood cells, called phagocytes, eat dead cells and destroy germs to keep the wound clean.

Another part of the inflammatory response is fever. A higher temperature slows germ growth and helps white blood cells work better.

Together, these actions help fight infection and support the body as it begins repairing damaged tissue.