Brief Answer: Not a Anthrax infection. Rule out other infections Detailed Answer: Hello, I have gone through your query and understand your concern. 1.How does one contact Bacillus Anthracis ? Although anthrax affects mainly livestock and wild game, humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with sick animals. Normally, anthrax isn't transmitted from person to person, but in rare cases, anthrax skin lesions may be contagious. Most often, anthrax bacteria enter your body through a wound in your skin. You can also become infected by eating contaminated meat or inhaling the spores. 2. Isn't this another name for Anthrax ? Bacillus Anthracis is a bacteria. Anthrax is a disease. Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. Usually Cutanenous anthrax occurs in the exposed area where the wound or injury is present. Cutaneous anthrax develops 1-7 days (usually 2-5 days) after skin exposure and penetration of Bacillus anthracis spores. Typically Cutaneous anthrax lesion is a raised, itchy bump resembling an insect bite 'malignant pustule' that quickly develops( with in a day or two) into a painless sore ( Ulcer) with a black center ( eschar). The anthrax ulcer and surrounding edema evolve into a black eschar within 7-10 days and last for 7-14 days before separating and leaving a permanent scar. Your rash does not have such feature pertaining to cutaneous anthrax. Thus it could not be due to Anthrax. It may be due to some other causes like other bacterial infection or dermatitis, insect bites etc. If possible please upload a picture for better diagnosis. Also you do not had any history suggestive of any animal or pet contact recently. The diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax mainly by he characteristic appearance of skin lesions. Thus there may a Laboratory error. Will the Halobetasol propionate treat this completely and could this rash come back again? Halobetasol is a Corticosteroid. This is used to treat a variety of skin conditions (e.g., eczema, dermatitis, allergies, rash). Halobetasol reduces the swelling, itching, and redness that can occur in these types of conditions. This medication is a very strong (super-high potency) corticosteroid. If the rash is due to infection, Skin infections can become worse after using this ointment. Initially you may feel better, but the infection may recur and worse often. Thus better to rule out any possibility of infection by follow up. Hope this helps. Please write back for further queries. Wishing you good health.

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