Scarlitia Disease

The main carrier of the bacteria that causes this illness is a caterpillar like insect that also has a stinger on it, called an Arkait. The stinger is slightly venomous but the real issue is the bacteria that it carries on its feet. Its feet have small hook like appendages that will create minor lesions in the skin while it walks these are usually used to give it traction while climbing on leaves or tree trunks. The stinger is used for self defense and for puncturing holes in the thinner areas of bark on trees to feed on the sap.
Scarlitia infects the skin causing slight rashes at first. The rashes itch and when scratched help to spread the bacteria. After about a week the rashes disappear and the bacteria goes into a breeding frenzy beneath all of the skin is has spread to. This may cause some swelling or bloating of the area which was commonly treated by piercing of the skin and then flushing the area with strong alcohol, this treatment kind of worked, killing all the bacteria that came in direct contact with the alcohol. If healers spirit wasn't available and any spirit with active yeasts was used, the yeast would then help the bacteria to flourish and the infection would come back much worse sometimes allowing the bacteria to breed until the skin would burst rather than just swell.
The last stage if left untreated is when the die off occurs. As the bacteria, now bred to an unsupportable level died off, the infected area would turn septic and may cause muscle tissue death as well as the death of the skin which may develop large amounts of puss and then slough off. If care is not taken loss of limb can occur as more tissues are killed around the now rotting area. Cleaning and flushing the area can help and magical healing can usually replace the skin and at least some of the tissue but unless the healer is very talented the area usually has a scared look to it for the rest of the subjects life. Cheap or badly made potions have been known to grow skin back over the infected area beginning the rotting process all over again.
Only a few months ago a new tincture was created that if administered early in the infection can clear the bacteria completely from the system. The tincture is called Rivera's Alchemical Tincture Panacea, but is already usually just called Rivera's. The tincture is made in a strong dwarven vodka base. Garlic flowers, honey, Mandis' universal carrier, myrrh, thyme, golden seal, rose, and Chrylen's balm. The exact amounts of each is only known to alchemists and the alchemists guild is currently spreading the cure to alchemists who are members listed as healing and curing specialists.

Type

Bacterial