Which warning sign indicates a secondary bacterial infection rather than just the expected inflammatory reaction to cactus irritants?
Answer
Pus drainage that is thick, yellow, or greenish.
The initial reaction to cactus material—swelling, redness, and heat—is an inflammatory response mediated by the immune system reacting to the physical presence of the spines or chemical irritants like sap. A secondary bacterial infection represents a distinct complication involving microbial invasion. Key indicators distinguishing infection from simple inflammation include worsening pain after the initial 24 hours, spreading redness known as cellulitis, and most definitively, the presence of purulent discharge. Pus, typically described as thick, yellow, or greenish fluid, is a strong indicator that bacteria are proliferating and professional medical assessment is urgently required.
Related Questions
What specific characteristic makes glochids exceptionally difficult to pull out once embedded in the skin?What adhesive technique is commonly suggested for gently lifting superficial glochids away from the skin?What is the likely result of aggressively rubbing the area after contact with cactus spines containing glochids?What is a significant long-term possibility if a retained cactus spine fragment cannot be eliminated by the body?Which warning sign indicates a secondary bacterial infection rather than just the expected inflammatory reaction to cactus irritants?When is it particularly advised to seek prompt medical attention for a cactus puncture wound on a finger?Why might standard X-rays sometimes be insufficient for locating retained fine cactus spines during medical assessment?Which structures are the hair-like, easily detached bristles found clustered on cactus bumps known as?What role do chemical mediators play in the localized inflammatory response hours after a cactus prick?What specific long-term condition involves the body forming a small lump around an unresolvable spine fragment?