Skin Disorders

Skin disorders cover a wide range of conditions, some benign, some very serious, and some even a sign of another underlying illness. A skin disorder not only affects your physical health, but also your emotional well-being.

Skin Care › Skin Disorders › Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin caused by direct contact with the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Cutaneous anthrax is an uncommon cutaneous (skin) infection due to a bacterium (Bacillus anthracis) that is found in the environment and typically causes illlness in animals. Cutaneous (skin) anthrax is marked by a boil-like lesion that eventually forms an ulcer with a black center.

Causes of Cutaneous Anthrax

Cutaneous anthrax is the most common manifestation of naturally acquired infection with B. anthracis . Inhalation (pulmonary) anthrax occurs in persons working in certain occupations where spores may be forced into the air from contaminated animal products, such as animal hair processing. Occupational risk groups include those coming into contact with livestock or products from livestock, e.g., veterinarians, animal handlers, abattoir workers, and laboratorians

Symptoms of Cutaneous Anthrax

• Blister or ulcer that later forms a black scab; often with extensive surrounding swelling.
• Swollen, painful lymph nodes
• A few patients may also experience fever, headache, and malaise

Cutaneous Anthrax treatment

The mainstay of treatment is early antibiotic therapy. Several antibiotics are effective, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro). If an outbreak of anthrax is suspected, the antibiotic of choice is ciprofloxacin, until it is known whether the anthrax strain is resistant to any of the other usual antibiotics. Because spores may take up to 60 days to germinate, the length of treatment is usually 60 days. Cutaneous anthrax is treated with oral antibiotics (pills). In the event of a bio-terrorist attack, the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile is available to supplement and help provide antibiotics should a shortage occur.