Symptom 8: Swelling or Redness
Swelling or redness on the abdominal area, particularly in the context of a Spigelian hernia, is more than a superficial concern. The skin, being our body’s first line of defense, responds to internal changes, acting as a canvas that paints a picture of our internal health. Swelling often signifies fluid accumulation or tissue enlargement, while redness can indicate increased blood flow due to inflammation or irritation. In the case of a hernia, these symptoms can reflect the body’s attempt to heal or respond to a protruding tissue, a clear sign that the body is actively engaged in addressing an internal disruption.
Swelling in the vicinity of a hernia is often a direct consequence of the herniated tissue pushing against the inner layers of the skin. As the tissue pushes outward, it creates a protrusion that may or may not be visible to the naked eye. Furthermore, swelling may also suggest that there’s fluid accumulation around the herniated site, a body mechanism to protect and heal the affected area. However, it’s crucial to understand that swelling is not just an aesthetic concern; it’s an indication that the body recognizes a problem and is working, albeit sometimes inefficiently, to address it.
If swelling is a subtle nudge from the body about something amiss, redness is its blazing alarm. Redness, characterized by a noticeable change in the skin’s hue to a more pinkish or reddish shade, indicates inflammation. When the skin over the herniated site turns red, it signals that there is increased blood flow to that particular area. This might be the body’s way of delivering more white blood cells to combat potential infection or merely to heal the strained tissue. Yet, the pronounced color change is a sign that there’s an active issue underneath that should not be ignored.(8)
