Final answer:
The heat and redness observed during the inflammatory process are primarily caused by vasodilation, which increases blood flow to the injured area. Histamine and other mediators promote this as well as increased vascular permeability, leading to redness, warmth, and swelling.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that causes heat and redness during the inflammatory process is known as vasodilation. When tissue is injured, cells release inflammatory signals, causing blood vessels to widen and become more permeable. This response is primarily mediated by histamine, which is a powerful vasodilator. Vasodilation leads to increased blood flow to the affected area, resulting in warmth and redness. Additionally, the increased permeability of capillaries allows fluids and white blood cells to move from the blood into the tissue, causing swelling or edema, which is a hallmark of inflammation.
Substances like prostaglandins are also involved in inflammation and contribute to pain and fever, which can be alleviated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins. Antihistamines can reduce allergic reactions by blocking the action of histamine on its receptors, thereby mitigating the inflammatory response.