Eschar
Escharotic
Eschar is dead tissue that falls off (sheds) from healthy skin. It is caused by a burn or cauterization (destroying tissue with heat or cold, or another method).
Burn
Burns commonly occur by direct or indirect contact with heat, electric current, radiation, or chemical agents. Burns can lead to cell death....
Cauterization
Electrocauterization is the process of heating tissue with electricity.
An escharotic is a substance (such as acids, alkalis, carbon dioxide, or metallic salts) that causes the tissue to die and fall off.
References
Dorland's Online Medical Dictionary. Available at: www.dorlands.com/def.jsp?id=100036901. Accessed May 15, 2015.
Stedman's Online Medical Dictionary. Available at: www.stedmansonline.com/content.aspx?id=mlrE1900000183&termtype=t. Accessed May 15, 2015.
Review Date: 4/21/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.