What is a Eusol Dressing?: Composition, History, and Modern Use

October 6, 2025 •

4 min read

Developed at the University of Edinburgh in the early 20th century, Eusol, or Edinburgh University Solution of Lime, is a traditional antiseptic solution used as a Eusol dressing for wound disinfection and desloughing. Though it played a significant historical role in treating infected wounds before the advent of modern antibiotics, its use has since been largely superseded by less cytotoxic alternatives.

Quick Summary

Eusol dressing involves an antiseptic solution of chlorinated lime and boric acid, historically used for wound cleansing and removing dead tissue. Though effective for disinfection and desloughing, its known cytotoxicity has led to a decline in use in modern medical care.

Key Points

Historical Antiseptic: Developed at the University of Edinburgh in the early 20th century as a potent topical antiseptic, particularly for infected wounds during WWI.
Key Ingredients: Composed of chlorinated lime and boric acid, with the active ingredient being sodium hypochlorite, which releases nascent chlorine.
Desloughing Agent: Primarily used for its ability to break down and remove necrotic tissue (slough) from the wound bed, clearing debris and promoting a cleaner environment.
Cytotoxicity Concerns: Known to be damaging to healthy granulation tissue and fibroblasts, which can delay the overall wound healing process.
Largely Replaced: Due to its harsh effects and the development of superior, less cytotoxic alternatives, Eusol is no longer the standard of care in most modern medical facilities.
Significant Side Effects: Improper use or dilution can cause severe skin irritation, redness, and chemical burns.
Modern Alternatives: Today, safer and more effective options like normal saline, hydrogels, and honey dressings are preferred for wound management.

The Historical Significance of Eusol

Before the widespread availability of antibiotics, the management of infected wounds posed a major challenge for medical practitioners. The early 20th century, particularly during World War I, saw a push for effective topical antiseptic solutions. This led to the development of Edinburgh University Solution of Lime, or EUSOL. For decades, it became a standard antiseptic for wound treatment in surgical units, particularly for wounds with dead or necrotic tissue that needed to be removed. Its use was considered cutting-edge for its time, providing a tool to manage infections and promote healing in traumatic and chronic wounds like ulcers and pressure sores.

The Composition and Mechanism of Action

At its core, Eusol is a simple yet potent chemical combination. The traditional formula comprises chlorinated lime (bleaching powder) and boric acid mixed with water.

Chlorinated Lime: Provides the primary antiseptic action through its derivative, sodium hypochlorite. When dissolved, this compound releases nascent chlorine, a powerful oxidizing agent that is highly effective at destroying the cell walls of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This oxidizing property is the main reason for its historical effectiveness as a disinfectant.
Boric Acid: Functions as a mild antiseptic and buffer in the solution, working alongside the chlorinated lime to produce a more balanced antimicrobial effect.

How Eusol Facilitates Desloughing

The desloughing action of Eusol is a key feature that contributed to its popularity. Slough is the moist, dead, or necrotic tissue that can form in wounds, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and hindering the healing process. The oxidizing properties of the nascent chlorine released by Eusol help to chemically break down this necrotic tissue, effectively cleansing the wound bed and preparing it for the growth of healthy new tissue, known as granulation. This process helps to reduce odor and exudate from the wound.

Indications for Eusol Dressing

Historically, Eusol dressings were indicated for a range of wound types where infection and necrotic tissue were a concern. These included:

Infected Wounds: To provide an antiseptic environment and reduce the bacterial load.
Chronic Ulcers: Including diabetic foot ulcers and leg ulcers, where desloughing and infection control are critical.
Necrotic Wounds: To facilitate the removal of slough and prepare the wound for healing.
Traumatic Wounds: Particularly those that were contaminated and at risk of infection.

The Decline of Eusol in Modern Medicine

Despite its historical role, Eusol's use has declined significantly in modern medical practice. This is largely due to the discovery of its cytotoxic effects. While it effectively kills pathogens, it does not discriminate between harmful bacteria and beneficial cells. Studies have shown that the high pH of Eusol can damage fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and healthy granulation tissue, ultimately delaying the overall wound healing process. This damage can cause further irritation, burning, and even chemical burns if not used in proper dilution. Consequently, evidence-based wound care has shifted towards solutions that are less damaging to healthy tissue, allowing for a more natural and efficient healing process.

Eusol vs. Modern Alternatives: A Comparison

To understand why Eusol has been largely replaced, it is helpful to compare it with more contemporary wound care options.

Table: Eusol vs. Contemporary Wound Dressings


Feature	Eusol Dressing	Normal Saline (NS)	Honey Dressings	Hydrogel Dressings
Composition	Chlorinated lime and boric acid	0.9% Sodium Chloride in water	Viscous sugar-based solution	Water-based polymer sheets or gels
Antimicrobial Effect	Potent, broad-spectrum via nascent chlorine	No inherent antimicrobial properties	Strong, broad-spectrum via osmolality and other factors	Limited or none; some contain added antimicrobials
Desloughing Action	Effective chemical breakdown of necrotic tissue	Gentle mechanical irrigation only	Promotes autolytic debridement	Promotes autolytic debridement by moistening
Cytotoxicity	High, damages fibroblasts and granulation tissue	None, considered bio-compatible	None, promotes healthy tissue growth	None, provides a safe environment
Effect on Healing	Can delay healing due to tissue damage	Standard for irrigation, does not delay healing	Promotes angiogenesis and granulation	Creates a moist, optimal healing environment

Safety Precautions and Adverse Effects

As a potent chemical agent, Eusol comes with several safety warnings that limit its use. It is for external use only, and accidental ingestion can cause severe, life-threatening injuries to the gastrointestinal tract. Contact with skin can cause irritation, redness, and a burning sensation, especially if not diluted correctly. Due to its irritant and drying properties, it is contraindicated in patients with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema. Its use is also generally discouraged during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Conclusion: A Historical Perspective in Wound Care

While Eusol dressing was once a standard for antiseptic wound care, providing a crucial tool for disinfection and desloughing in an era without modern antibiotics, its relevance has faded. Modern wound care emphasizes promoting a gentle, moist, and bio-compatible environment for healing. Eusol's significant cytotoxicity, which can damage healthy tissue and delay the healing process, makes it unsuitable for routine use in contemporary clinical settings. Today, healthcare providers prioritize advanced dressings and gentler solutions like normal saline, hydrogels, and honey, which offer effective wound management without compromising the delicate healing process. Eusol remains a historical artifact, a testament to past medical practices, but it is no longer the preferred choice for optimal patient outcomes.

For more detailed information on modern wound care practices, refer to the resources provided by the National Institutes of Health(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9930691/).

Frequently Asked Questions

EUSOL is an acronym for Edinburgh University Solution Of Lime, named after its origin at the University of Edinburgh in the early 1900s.

The traditional Eusol solution is composed of chlorinated lime and boric acid mixed with water. The primary active component, which gives it its antiseptic properties, is sodium hypochlorite.

While it was a common treatment in the past, Eusol has been largely replaced in modern medical practice due to its cytotoxic effects on healthy tissue. It may still be used in specific, limited situations or in low-resource settings.

Side effects can include skin irritation, redness, a burning sensation, and even chemical burns if the solution is not used correctly. The solution's cytotoxicity can also damage healthy granulation tissue and delay healing.

Historically, Eusol was used for a variety of infected and necrotic wounds, including ulcers (diabetic and leg), pressure sores, and traumatic wounds requiring desloughing.

No, Eusol is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding. You should always consult a healthcare provider for safe and suitable wound care options if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Modern alternatives to Eusol that are less cytotoxic include normal saline for wound irrigation, advanced dressings like hydrogels and alginates, and other antiseptics with better safety profiles. In some studies, honey has also shown superior results.