The skin has its own natural immune system to protect it against injury and infection. The inflammatory response is part of the process by which the body defends itself against infection.

When skin tissue is injured, chemical signals such as histamine are released by mast cells. Histamine causes blood vessels in the surrounding area to leak fluid containing blood clotting properties.

Together with this fluid, phagocytes rise towards the surface to the injured area. This is what causes the inflammation, swelling and redness in the area.

Phagocytes are the white blood cells that consume the bacteria and cell debris to fight off infection. Neutrophil is the name given to a type of white blood cell that performs this function.

Blood platelets are cells with blood clotting properties. They move from the surrounding capillaries to seal the wound causing bleeding to slow down and stop. This begins the tissue healing process.