Cutaneous anthrax : Treatment

Treatment

Cutaneous anthrax is treated with antibiotics, most often doxycycline or ciprofloxacin. Ciprofloxacin has been the antibiotic of choice during a suspected anthrax outbreak.

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

Prognosis (Expectations)

The outlook is excellent when anthrax is treated. Death is extremely rare when antibiotics are promptly given.

Complications

In some cases, the infection can spread through the bloodstream, leading to shock and death.

Calling Your Health Care Provider

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

• Cutaneous anthrax : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

• Cutaneous anthrax : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests

• Cutaneous anthrax : Treatment

Review Date : 10/28/2008
Reviewed By : Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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