What role do chemical mediators play in the localized inflammatory response hours after a cactus prick?
Answer
They cause localized inflammation by increasing blood flow and fluid leakage into the tissues.
The noticeable swelling, redness, and heat observed hours following contact are direct manifestations of the immune system initiating its defense cascade. When the immune system recognizes the embedded spines or associated irritants as foreign invaders, it releases specific chemical mediators into the affected area. These signaling molecules act locally to dilate blood vessels and increase vascular permeability. This change allows plasma fluid and immune cells to leak out of the bloodstream and accumulate in the surrounding interstitial tissues, which physically results in edema—the swelling—and the associated signs of inflammation.
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