Pennsylvania Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is the clinical term for redness of the skin?

1. Erythema

2. Exanthem

3. Rash

4. Inflammation

The correct answer is: Erythema

Erythema is the clinical term used to describe redness of the skin. This condition occurs when blood vessels dilate and increase blood flow to a localized area, often as a response to factors such as irritation, inflammation, or an allergic reaction. It is commonly seen in various dermatological conditions, and understanding this term is fundamental for estheticians as they assess skin conditions and determine appropriate treatments. Exanthem refers to a widespread rash typically associated with viral infections, rather than just localized redness. Rash is a general term that encapsulates a variety of skin irritations and does not specifically denote redness. Inflammation is a broader process that encompasses redness, swelling, heat, and pain, and while redness is a component of inflammation, it is not specifically what erythema refers to. Hence, the precise nature of erythema makes it the correct answer regarding the clinical term for skin redness.