Painless eschar
Type: Symptom
Definition
A deeply necrotic, painless ulcer covered by a distinct, jet-black crust.
Clinical Details
When spores enter through a skin abrasion, the germinated bacteria release lethal toxin, which actively forces local cells to commit suicide. This highly destructive toxin completely eradicates surrounding pain receptors while turning the skin tissue into a deeply sunken, black mass of necrotic tissue. The startling lack of pain is a highly specific hallmark of the cutaneous form of the disease.