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From the Greek word eschara (scab) an eschar is a slough or piece of dead tissue
Necrosis

Necrosis is the name given to premature death of cell s and living biological tissue. Necrosis is caused by external factors, such as infection, toxins, or trauma....
 that is cast off from the surface of the skin, particularly after a burn injury
Burn (injury)

A burn is a type of injury that may be caused by heat, Temperature, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction. Burns can be highly variable in terms of the tissue affected, the severity, and resultant complications....
, but also seen in gangrene
Gangrene

For the American football team nicknamed "Gang Green," see New York Jets.Gangrene is a complication of necrosis characterized by the decay of biological tissues, which become black and malodorous....
, ulcer, fungal infections
Mycosis

Mycosis is a condition in which fungi pass the resistance barriers of the human or animal body and establish infections....
, necrotizing spider bite wounds
Brown recluse spider

The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is a well-known member of the family Sicariidae .It is usually between 6?20 mm , but may grow larger....
, and late exposure to anthrax
Anthrax

Anthrax is an Acute disease in humans and animals caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which is highly lethal in some forms. There are effective vaccines against anthrax, and some forms of the disease respond well to antibiotic treatment....
. Eschar is sometimes called a "black wound" because the wound is covered with thick, dry, black necrotic tissue
Necrosis

Necrosis is the name given to premature death of cell s and living biological tissue. Necrosis is caused by external factors, such as infection, toxins, or trauma....
.

Eschar may be allowed to slough off naturally, or it may require surgical removal (debridement
Debridement

Debridement is the medical removal of a patient's dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue....
) to prevent infection, especially in immunocompromised patients (e.g.






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From the Greek word eschara (scab) an eschar is a slough or piece of dead tissue
Necrosis

Necrosis is the name given to premature death of cell s and living biological tissue. Necrosis is caused by external factors, such as infection, toxins, or trauma....
 that is cast off from the surface of the skin, particularly after a burn injury
Burn (injury)

A burn is a type of injury that may be caused by heat, Temperature, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation, or friction. Burns can be highly variable in terms of the tissue affected, the severity, and resultant complications....
, but also seen in gangrene
Gangrene

For the American football team nicknamed "Gang Green," see New York Jets.Gangrene is a complication of necrosis characterized by the decay of biological tissues, which become black and malodorous....
, ulcer, fungal infections
Mycosis

Mycosis is a condition in which fungi pass the resistance barriers of the human or animal body and establish infections....
, necrotizing spider bite wounds
Brown recluse spider

The brown recluse spider, Loxosceles reclusa, is a well-known member of the family Sicariidae .It is usually between 6?20 mm , but may grow larger....
, and late exposure to anthrax
Anthrax

Anthrax is an Acute disease in humans and animals caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which is highly lethal in some forms. There are effective vaccines against anthrax, and some forms of the disease respond well to antibiotic treatment....
. Eschar is sometimes called a "black wound" because the wound is covered with thick, dry, black necrotic tissue
Necrosis

Necrosis is the name given to premature death of cell s and living biological tissue. Necrosis is caused by external factors, such as infection, toxins, or trauma....
.

Eschar may be allowed to slough off naturally, or it may require surgical removal (debridement
Debridement

Debridement is the medical removal of a patient's dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue....
) to prevent infection, especially in immunocompromised patients (e.g. if a skin graft is to be conducted).

If eschar is on a limb, it is important to assess peripheral pulses of the affected limb to make sure blood and lymphatic circulation is not compromised. If circulation is compromised, an escharotomy
Escharotomy

An escharotomy is a surgical procedure used to treat full thickness circumferential burn . Since full thickness burns are characterized by tough, leathery eschar, an escharotomy is used primarily to combat compartment syndrome....
, or surgical incision through the eschar, may be indicated.

An escharotic is a substance that causes tissue to die and slough off. Examples include acids, alkalines, carbon dioxide, metallic salts, or electric cautery.

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