https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=EscharEschar - Revision history2026-06-19T08:12:39ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.44.2https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?title=Eschar&diff=605044&oldid=previmported>ShelfSkewed: Dab link2025-08-22T15:03:29Z<p>Dab link</p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Piece of dead tissue caused by some skin injuries}}<br />
{{for|the glacial landform sometimes spelled eschar|Esker}}<br />
{{wikt | eschar}}<br />
'''Eschar''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɛ|s|k|ɑr}}; {{Langx|el|ἐσχάρᾱ|translit=eskhara}}; {{Langx|la|eschara}}; or ''an'' eschar) is a slough<ref>{{DorlandsDict|three/000036901|eschar}}</ref> or piece of [[necrosis|dead tissue]] that is cast off from the surface of the skin, particularly after a [[Burn|burn injury]], but also seen in [[gangrene]], [[Ulcer (dermatology)|ulcer]], [[mycosis|fungal infections]], [[Loxoscelism|necrotizing spider bite wounds]], [[tick bites]] associated with [[spotted fever]]s and exposure to cutaneous [[anthrax]]. The term ‘eschar’ is not interchangeable with ‘[[wound healing#Proliferative phase|scab]]’. An eschar contains necrotic tissue whereas a scab is composed of dried blood and [[exudate]].<br />
[[File:Inoculation eschar Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae infection.jpg|thumbnail|Eschar on the back of the knee on a patient with [[lymphangitis]] caused by ''[[Rickettsia sibirica]]'']]<br />
Black eschars are most frequently attributed in medicine to cutaneous anthrax (infection by ''[[Bacillus anthracis]]''), which may be contracted through herd animal exposure and also from ''[[Pasteurella multocida]]'' exposure in cats and rabbits. A newly identified human rickettsial infection, ''R. parkeri'' [[rickettsiosis]], can be differentiated from [[Rocky Mountain spotted fever]] by the presence of an eschar at the site of inoculation.<ref><br />
{{Cite journal<br />
| last1 = Paddock | first1 = C. D.<br />
| last2 = Finley | first2 = R. W.<br />
| last3 = Wright | first3 = C. S.<br />
| last4 = Robinson | first4 = H. N.<br />
| last5 = Schrodt | first5 = B. J.<br />
| last6 = Lane | first6 = C. C.<br />
| last7 = Ekenna | first7 = O.<br />
| last8 = Blass | first8 = M. A.<br />
| last9 = Tamminga | first9 = C. L.<br />
| last10 = Ohl | doi = 10.1086/592254 | first10 = C. A.<br />
| last11 = McLellan | first11 = S. L. F.<br />
| last12 = Goddard | first12 = J.<br />
| last13 = Holman | first13 = R. C.<br />
| last14 = Openshaw | first14 = J. J.<br />
| last15 = Sumner | first15 = J. W.<br />
| last16 = Zaki | first16 = S. R.<br />
| last17 = Eremeeva | first17 = M. E.<br />
| title = Rickettsia parkeri Rickettsiosis and Its Clinical Distinction from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever<br />
| journal = Clinical Infectious Diseases<br />
| volume = 47 | issue = 9<br />
| pages = 1188–1196 | year = 2008<br />
| pmid = 18808353 | pmc = <br />
| doi-access = free}}<br />
</ref> <br />
Eschar is sometimes called a ''black wound'' because the wound is covered with thick, dry, black [[necrosis|necrotic tissue]].<br />
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Eschar may be allowed to slough off naturally, or it may require surgical removal ([[debridement]]) to prevent infection, especially in immunocompromised patients (e.g. if a [[skin graft]] is to be conducted).<br />
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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]], or surgical incision through the eschar, may be indicated.<br />
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==Escharotic==<br />
An ''escharotic'' is a substance that kills unwanted or diseased tissue, usually skin or superficial growths like warts, leaving them to [[Sloughing|slough]] off. Examples include:<br><br />
* inorganic reagents, such as strong acids and alkalis, or [[cytotoxic]] salts of [[heavy metals]], for example zinc or silver<br />
* organic compounds such as [[sanguinarine]], [[salicylic acid]], and certain medicines like [[imiquimod]]<br />
* Irritant or corrosive fluids from plants, such as [[latex]] or [[resin]]s from various species of ''[[Ficus]]'', ''[[Euphorbia]]'', ''[[Carica]]'', or ''[[Taraxacum]]''<br />
* [[refrigerant]]s, which kill the tissue by freezing; examples include liquid nitrogen, solid [[carbon dioxide]], and its solution in [[diethyl ether|ether]] <br />
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Escharotics have long been used in medicine. In conventional modern practice some still are useful for topical treatment of growths such as warts. For lack of anything better in the past, escharotics once were more widely used, and for example, popular products included so-called [[black salve]]s, with ingredients such as [[zinc chloride]], plus sanguinarine in the form of bloodroot extract. These and others were traditional as topical treatments for localised skin cancers in [[herbal medicine]]. They combined unreliability in eradication of the cancer, with harmful effects such as scarring, serious injury, and disfigurement. Consequently escharotic salves now are strictly regulated in most western countries, and available on prescription only. Some prosecutions have been pursued over unlicensed sales of escharotic products such as [[Cansema]].<br />
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== See also ==<br />
* [[Wound healing]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
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== External links ==<br />
{{Medical resources<br />
| DiseasesDB =<br />
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|R|23|4}} <br />
| ICD9 = <br />
| ICDO = <br />
| OMIM = <br />
| MedlinePlus = 002355<br />
| eMedicineSubj =<br />
| eMedicineTopic =<br />
| eMedicine_mult = <br />
}}<br />
* [http://www.medbc.com/annals/review/vol_3/num_2/text/vol3n2p79.htm Medical Separation of the Eschar]<br />
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[[Category:Cutaneous conditions]]<br />
[[Category:Necrosis]]</div>imported>ShelfSkewed