Eschar
.jpg)
An eschar (
/ˈɛskɑr/; Greek: eschara, "scab") is a slough[1] or piece of dead tissue that is cast off from the surface of the skin, particularly after a burn injury, but also seen in gangrene, ulcer, fungal infections, necrotizing spider bite wounds, and exposure to cutaneous anthrax.
Black eschars are most commonly attributed to anthrax, which may be contracted through herd animal exposure, but can also be obtained 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. [2] Eschar is sometimes called a black wound because the wound is covered with thick, dry, black necrotic tissue.
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).
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.
An escharotic is a substance that causes tissue to die and slough off. Examples include acids, alkalis, carbon dioxide, metallic salts or sanguinarine.
[edit] References
- ^ "eschar" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ Paddock, CD, Finley RW, Wright CS, et al. Rickettsia parkeri rickettsiosis and its clinical distiction from Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. Clin Infect Dis 2008;47: 1188-96.
[edit] External links
 |
This disease article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
