Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax is the most common of the three main types of anthrax, a serious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. This form of anthrax occurs when Bacillus anthracis bacteria enter a cut or abrasion on the skin. Symptoms of cutaneous anthrax include a raised, itchy bump that develops into a blister within one to two days and eventually becomes a painless ulcer. This type of anthrax responds well to antibiotics, but may spread throughout the body if it is untreated. Deaths from cutaneous anthrax are rare when appropriate treatment is administered.

 

Cutaneous Anthrax: An Overview

Anthrax is a serious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Cutaneous anthrax is the most common of the three main types of anthrax. About 95 percent of anthrax infections are the result of cutaneous anthrax.
 

Transmission of Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax infections occur when the anthrax bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. This may happen when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather, or hair products (especially goat hair) of infected animals.
 

Symptoms of Cutaneous Anthrax

With cutaneous anthrax, the skin infection that results begins as a raised, itchy bump that resembles an insect bite but within one to two days develops into a blister. This blister then turns into a painless ulcer with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center (see Anthrax Pictures). Lymph glands in the adjacent area may swell.
 

Treatment and Prognosis for Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax responds well to antibiotics, but may spread throughout the body if untreated.
About 20 percent of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths from this type of anthrax are rare with appropriate anthrax treatment.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD