Question

What is the difference between eschar and slough? Thanks!

Answer 1

Ans) Eschar is dead tissue that sheds or falls off from healthy skin.

Slough is defined as yellow devitalized tissue, that can be stringy or thick and adherent on the tissue bed.

Difference in Eschar & Slough:

Eschar:

- Usually darker in colour.

- Thicker & hard in consistency.

- Color: Brown or black devitalized tissue

- May be dry or wet

- It is seen only in stage III or greater pressure ulcers.

- It is a collection of dead tissue within the wound that is flush with skin surface.

- Treatment: topical treatment or debridement to help control and remove the infection.

Slough:

- Usually lighter in colour.

- Thinner & stringy in consistency.

- Colour: white, tan, grey green, yellow devitalized tissue.

- It is moist

-  It's presence indicates stage III higher pressure ulcers.

- It may be seen in clumps, scattered, or completely covering a wound base.

- Treatment: 1) Enzymatic: Involves the use of a chemical or application of a topical treatment.

2) Autolytic: Uses person's natural enzymes to eliminate slough.