In cutaneous anthrax, skin lesions quickly turn into blisters (vesicles) then form black scabs (eschars). These anthrax lesions show the transition from blisters to eschars. In cutaneous anthrax, a blister (vesicle or bulla) is the first skin lesion. This transient fluid-filled lesion quickly breaks, and then a black scab (eschar) develops at the center within days. This chest X-ray of a patient with inhalational anthrax shows a widened mediastinum (area at the center of the chest near the heart). This radiograph was taken 22 hours before death. Inhalational anthrax causes severe shortness of breath (dyspnea), cough, fever, muscle aches (myalgias), and headache. Gastrointestinal anthrax results in severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, high fever, and vomiting. This type of anthrax is nearly always fatal.
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Anthrax  Information for adults

Picture of Anthrax: In cutaneous anthrax, skin lesions quickly turn into blisters (vesicles) then form black scabs (eschars). These anthrax lesions show the transition from blisters to eschars. Divider line
In cutaneous anthrax, skin lesions quickly turn into blisters (vesicles) then form black scabs (eschars). These anthrax lesions show the transition from blisters to eschars.
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References


Anthrax: what you need to know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/needtoknow.asp. Modified July 31, 2003. Reviewed February 22, 2006. Accessed May 29, 2008.

Anthrax, cutaneous. Logical Images Web site. http://www.logicalimages.com/resourcesBTAgentsAnthraxCut.htm. Accessed May 30, 2008.

Anthrax, inhalational. Logical Images Web site. http://www.logicalimages.com/resourcesBTAgentsAnthraxInh.htm. Accessed May 30, 2008.

Questions and answers about anthrax. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/faq/. Modified February 24, 2006. Accessed May 30, 2008.

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MedlinePlus: Anthrax

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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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