Associate Safety Professional Practice Exam

What is the common term for the condition known as erythema?

1. Itching

2. Sunburn

3. Dry skin

4. Skin rash

The correct answer is: Sunburn

Erythema refers to an increase in blood flow to the capillaries in the skin, which results in redness. This condition is commonly associated with various irritants, including sun exposure. Sunburn is a specific type of erythema caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, leading to redness, inflammation, and sometimes pain on the affected skin. The other conditions listed do not accurately capture the essence of erythema. Itching typically relates to irritation rather than the inflammatory response that causes redness. Dry skin refers to a lack of moisture in the skin, which is unrelated to the vascular changes of erythema. A skin rash can encompass a variety of skin conditions, but not all rashes involve the same vascular response that characterizes erythema. Therefore, associating erythema primarily with sunburn is appropriate, as it represents a common and clear cause of the condition.