What is a common symptom of a skin infection?

A common symptom of a skin infection is characterized by redness, swelling, and pus. This cluster of symptoms arises from the body's inflammatory response to the infection. When the skin is infected, commonly by bacteria, the immune system reacts to the invading pathogens, which results in increased blood flow to the affected area, leading to redness. Swelling occurs because of fluid accumulation and inflammation as immune cells gather to combat the infection. The presence of pus is indicative of a buildup of dead white blood cells, bacteria, and tissue debris, which is often seen in bacterial infections such as abscesses. Each of these symptoms helps to signal that an infection is present, guiding both assessment and treatment in a clinical setting.