What does the term "eschar" refer to?

The term "eschar" specifically refers to the tough, necrotic tissue that forms over a burn wound. This material is a result of the body's natural response to a burn injury and typically develops in deeper burns, particularly in full-thickness burns where the tissue is severely damaged. The presence of eschar indicates that the tissue under it is dead and is unable to heal, which can impact treatment decisions, including the need for surgical intervention or debridement.

In contrast, blisters are associated with superficial or partial-thickness burns and do not represent eschar. Healthy tissue that grows after a burn is more accurately described as granulation tissue, not eschar. Lastly, methods of assessing the depth of burns involve various clinical evaluations and tools but do not directly relate to the term eschar itself. These distinctions are important for effectively managing burn injuries and their treatment.