Acute Inflammation

is the body’s immediate response to defend itself from an injury or infection. When your immune system identifies damage or foreign substances (bacteria or germs), inflammatory chemicals are released into the bloodstream and sent to the area to begin the body’s process of healing. This process is essential for healing wounds and fighting off infection. Symptoms include redness, heat, pain, swelling and loss of function.

Acute inflammation is only intended to be a temporary response and does not always require treatment. Rest, ice and proper wound care often relieve the discomfort within a few days. Once the fight against either injury or infection has subsided, the body will begin to repair the damage and the consequent inflammation. As the response from the immune system begins to return to a normal state, the redness will fade, the swelling will subside, and the pain recedes.