Skin Necrosis
Type: Symptom
Definition
The localized death of living tissue.
Clinical Details
Exposure to strong acids or bases causes the skin proteins to coagulate or liquefy, resulting in patches of dead tissue. Acid burns typically create a dry, leathery, discolored scab (eschar), while alkaline burns cause a soupy, liquefying destruction of the flesh. The tissue damage is often deeper than it initially appears.