How to manage burn eschars
Burn eschar management should avoid self-peeling, maintain dryness and cleanliness of the eschar, provide care according to eschar type, prevent infection, and monitor underlying conditions. Scientific management protects the wound, promotes healing, and reduces scar formation. If the eschar shows redness, swelling, discharge, odor, or is accompanied by fever, prompt medical attention is recommended.
1. Avoid self-peeling: The eschar acts as a natural protective barrier for the wound. Manually tearing it off exposes newly formed tissue, leading to infection, bleeding, and prolonged healing time. Allow the eschar to fall off naturally. Even if itching occurs, do not scratch.
2. Keep the eschar dry and clean: Avoid exposing the eschar to dirty water or contaminants in daily activities. Gently cover and protect it with sterile gauze. If accidentally wet, use a sterile swab to carefully absorb moisture and prevent bacterial growth that could lead to sub-eschar infection.
3. Care based on eschar type: For thin eschars from superficial burns, no special medication is needed—just keep the area dry. For thick eschars from deep burns, apply prescribed ointments that promote softening, following medical advice, to prevent excessive thickness from impairing tissue repair underneath.
4. Prevent infection: If redness or swelling appears around the edge of the eschar, apply antimicrobial ointments such as mupirocin under medical guidance, once or twice daily, to inhibit bacterial growth and prevent infection from spreading beneath the eschar and causing wound suppuration.
5. Monitor underlying conditions: Regularly observe the color and appearance of the eschar. If the eschar turns black, softens, or is accompanied by increasing pain or fever, this may indicate sub-eschar infection or abscess formation, requiring timely professional intervention to prevent worsening of the condition.
In daily life, protect the burned area from friction and pressure. Wear loose, soft clothing, and consume foods rich in vitamin C and protein, such as oranges and eggs, to support wound healing and skin regeneration.
