What occurs to blood vessels when skin burns?

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When the skin burns, one of the primary responses of blood vessels is to swell or rupture due to the inflammatory process triggered by the injury. This reaction occurs as the body attempts to deliver more blood to the affected area to facilitate healing. The increase in blood flow results in visible redness and swelling, which are characteristic of inflammation.

As the skin sustains thermal damage, the cells in and around the burn release various substances, such as histamines, that increase vascular permeability. This allows fluids and immune cells to exit the blood vessels more easily, leading to the swelling often seen in burned tissue. This process is essential for the healing response, as it brings nutrients and white blood cells to help fight infection and repair the damage.

The other options do not accurately represent the physiological response of blood vessels to skin burns. For example, contraction of blood vessels usually occurs in response to cold or to reduce blood loss, remaining unchanged does not reflect the significant changes that occur after a burn, and hardening of blood vessels does not apply in the context of an acute inflammatory response such as a burn injury.

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