Cutaneous anthrax

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Cutaneous anthrax

Cutaneous Anthrax

Skin layers

Anthrax - skin

Cutaneous anthrax is treated with oral antibiotics (pills). Several antibiotics are effective, including penicillin, doxycycline, and ciprofloxacin (Cipro).  Cipro has been the antibiotic of choice during a suspected anthrax outbreak.

Because anthrax spores may take up to 60 days to germinate, the length of treatment is usually 60 days.

The prognosis of treated cutaneous anthrax is excellent. Death is extremely rare when antibiotics are promptly given.

In about 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax, the organism may spread into the bloodstream, leading to shock and death.

Call your health care provider if you know you have been exposed to anthrax, or if you develop a skin lesion as described above.

Review Date: 06/17/2005
Reviewed By: Rocio Hurtado, M.D., Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.