If a soldier has a swollen, tender area of warm reddened skin, what condition might be suspected?

The presence of a swollen, tender area with warm, reddened skin typically suggests an inflammatory process, which is commonly associated with cellulitis. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and surrounding tissues, often resulting from the entry of bacteria through cuts or breaks in the skin. The symptoms of warmth, redness, and swelling are classic indicators of this condition, indicating that the body's immune response is actively working to combat the infection.

In contrast, while abscesses and furuncles (which are also known as boils) may also present with similar symptoms, they generally contain pus and have a defined collection point, which may not be as prevalent in cellulitis. Contact dermatitis usually presents with a rash resulting from skin exposure to allergens or irritants and is characterized more by itching and inflammation rather than the warmth and swelling associated with an infection.

Thus, the signs and symptoms described most closely align with cellulitis, making it the most likely condition in this scenario.