What is the medical term for a bacterial infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the skin?

• A. Dermatitis
• B. Furunculosis
• C. Cellulitis
• D. Folliculitis

Answer: (C)

The medical term for a bacterial infection characterized by redness, swelling, and pain in the skin is cellulitis. This condition typically occurs when bacteria enter through a break in the skin, leading to inflammation and infection in the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissues. The symptoms commonly include localized warmth, tenderness, and possibly systemic signs such as fever.

In contrast, dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin due to various causes, including allergens or irritants, rather than a bacterial infection. Furunculosis, often known as boils, involves the infection of hair follicles and results in localized pus-filled bumps but is not synonymous with the broader infection that occurs in cellulitis. Folliculitis, while also involving hair follicles, primarily refers to inflammation of the follicles rather than a deeper skin infection. Thus, cellulitis uniquely encapsulates the systemic skin response to a bacterial infection, making it the correct term for the question posed.