The body’s physiologic response to the irritation is to dilate local blood vessels, which increases the blood supply to the area. The increased blood flow, in turn, causes the skin to appear red and warmer. As the blood vessels dilate, their injured walls leak blood serum into surrounding tissues, causing edema and pain from increased pressure on nerve endings. In addition, white blood cells increase in the area and act as scavengers (phagocytes) in destroying bacteria and ingesting small particles of dead tissue and foreign matter. Inflammation may be caused by trauma or mechanical irritation; chemical reaction to venom, poison ivy, acids, or alkalies; heat or cold injuries; microorganism penetration; or other agents such as electricity or solar radiation. Inflammation should be treated by the following methods:  Remove the irritating cause.  Keep the inflamed area at rest and elevated.  Apply cold for 24 to 48 hours to reduce swelling. Once swelling is reduced, apply heat to soft tissues, which hastens the removal of products of inflammation.  Apply wet dressings and ointments to soften tissues and to rid the area of the specific causal bacteria. Abscesses An abscess is a localized collection of pus that forms in cavities created by the disintegration of tissue. Abscesses may follow injury, illness, or irritation. Most abscesses are caused by staphylococcal infections and may occur in any area of the body, but they are usually on the skin surface. A furuncle (boil) is an abscess in the true skin caused by the entry of microorganisms through a hair follicle or sweat gland. A carbuncle is a group of furuncular abscesses having multiple sloughs, often interconnected under the true skin. When localized, there are several “heads.” Symptoms begin with localized itching and inflammation, followed by swelling, fever, and pain. Redness and swelling localize, and the furuncle or carbuncle becomes hard and painful. Pus forms into a cavity, causing the skin to become taut and discolored. Treatment for furuncles and carbuncles includes the following:  DO NOT squeeze! Squeezing may damage surrounding healthy tissue and spread the infection.  Use aseptic techniques when handling.  Relieve pain with aspirin.  Apply moist hot soaks/dressings (110F) for 40 minutes, three to four times per day.  Rest and elevate the infected body part.  Antibiotic therapy may be ordered by a physician.  Abscesses should be incised after they have localized (except on the face) to establish drainage. Abscesses in the facial triangle (nose and upper lip) should be seen by a physician. SPECIAL WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: R e c a l l medical precautions and wound-treatment procedures for the following list of wounds: animal bites, eye wounds, head wounds, facial wounds, abdominal wounds, crushing injuries, and the removal of foreign objects. As a Hospital Corpsman, you should find most general wounds very easy to diagnose and treat. There are other wounds, however, that require special consideration and treatment. They are discussed below. Eye Wounds Many eye wounds contain foreign objects. Dirt, coal, cinders, eyelashes, bits of metal, and a variety of other objects may become lodged in the eye. Since even a small piece of dirt is intensely irritating to the eye, the removal of such objects is important. However, the eye is easily damaged. Impairment of vision (or even total loss of vision) can result from fumbling, inexpert attempts to remove foreign objects from the eye. The following precautions must be observed:  DO NOT allow the victim to rub the eye. 4-36