Which condition is characterized by a swollen and tender red area with fever?

The condition characterized by a swollen and tender red area accompanied by fever is cellulitis. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that typically presents as an area of inflammation on the skin, which appears red, swollen, and may be warm to the touch. Patients often experience tenderness in the affected area, and systemic symptoms like fever can occur due to the body’s response to the infection.

In cellulitis, the infection can spread quickly through the skin and underlying tissues, making prompt recognition and treatment essential to prevent complications. The signs and symptoms of fever and localized swelling are key indicators that differentiate cellulitis from other conditions.

Other conditions listed may exhibit some overlap in symptoms but do not typically present with this specific combination of localized swelling, redness, and systemic symptoms like fever. Dehydration primarily affects hydration status rather than causing localized inflammatory reactions. Deep vein thrombosis tends to result in localized swelling and possibly pain, but does not generally present with fever. Lymphangitis, while it involves inflammation of lymphatic vessels and can present with a red streak and fever, is typically associated with a distinct pattern of red streaking rather than the broader localized redness typical of cellulitis.