Eschar may cover a wound bed in a thick layer, like a scab. However, unlike a scab, eschar is not a part of the wound healing process and must be removed to support healing. Slough is a soft, moist tissue composed of non-viable tissue and bacteria.

Are you supposed to remove eschar?

Current standard of care guidelines recommend that stable intact (dry, adherent, intact without erythema or fluctuance) eschar on the heels should not be removed. Blood flow in the tissue under the eschar is poor and the wound is susceptible to infection.

Why must eschar be removed?

Burn eschar must be removed, and the resulting wound must be quickly closed to reduce inflammation, minimize wound contraction/risk of infection, and improve the scarring outcome.