What is a common sign of a local infection?

Increased redness is indeed a common sign of a local infection. When an area of the body becomes infected, the body's immune response is activated, leading to increased blood flow to the affected area. This results in redness as the blood vessels dilate to allow more immune cells to reach the site of infection and facilitate healing. This process is part of the inflammatory response, which also typically includes warmth, swelling, and pain.

Increased temperature refers to a systemic response, such as a fever, and is more associated with systemic infections rather than localized ones. Decreased pain is not indicative of an infection; typically, pain will increase due to inflammation and irritation in the infected area. Lastly, dryness is not a sign of infection but might suggest other conditions, like dehydration or dermal issues. Understanding these signs helps in the timely recognition and management of localized infections.