Eschar

Definition

Eschar is a layer of dead tissue that commonly forms over a wound or burn.

Eschars can be caused by anything that destroys healthy skin, such as burns, trauma, infections, insect bites, pressure ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers.

An escharotic is a substance (such as acids, alkalis, carbon dioxide, or metallic salts) that leads to eschar formation.

Eschars may require treatment to allow healing or to prevent or treat infection.

Alternative Names

Necrotic tissue

References

Chung KK, Friedman BC. Critical care of the severely burned. In: Parrillo JE, Dellinger RP, eds. Critical Care Medicine: Principles of Diagnosis and Management in the Adult. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 64.

Lee C, Barie PS, Houng AP. Burn wound management. In: Cameron J, ed. Current Surgical Therapy. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:1418-1422.

Taber's Online Medical Dictionary. Eschar. www.tabers.com/tabersonline/view/Tabers-Dictionary/752803/0/eschar?q=Eschar. Accessed May 14, 2025.

Wolf SE. Burns. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 20.

Related Links

Review Date: 4/8/2025
Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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