Anthrax - skin

Between 1 and 12 days after exposure, an itchy sore develops, similar to an insect bite. This sore may blister and form a black ulcer (sore), which is usually painless. It is usually surrounded by significant swelling. A scab often develops, and then dries and falls off within 2 weeks, although complete healing can take longer.

Some patients also have painful lymph nodes, fever, headache, and a general ill-feeling (malaise).

A culture of the skin lesions should be done to identify the bacteria that cause anthrax.

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Cutaneous anthrax

Skin layers

Cutaneous Anthrax

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Review Date: 05/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)