If you see a cute little rash on your skin which resembles a bull’s eye, don’t get excited. It’s not a sign that you are destined to become the greatest darts player in history. If you remember being bitten by a tick in the last few weeks, that rash could be a symptom of Lyme disease. That is definitely not a reason to get excited.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites. Most people are likely to disregard the bite because they think it won’t bring them any harm. What they don’t know is that some ticks carry a certain bacterium called Borrelia borgdorferi. When it infects a person, symptoms are usually felt weeks or months after the infectious tick bite. If left untreated, it causes major damages to organ systems in the body that the patient will suffer from for years.
What does a lyme disease rash look like?
Usually, the first sign of Lyme disease is a rash. It is called erythema migrans. This rash is a unique red spot on the skin. It looks like a bull’s eye with a red center enclosed in a clear skin, which is surrounded by expanding red mark. This rash sometimes start as a small bump. It can expand dramatically and cover a huge surface of the body. This rash becomes visible within a day of the infectious tick bite or even a month later. In dark-skinned patients, the rash may look like an ordinary bruise.
Tick Bites Vs. Lyme Disease Rashes
Some people confuse erythema migrans with a simple reaction to a tick bite. If the tick that bit you is not infected with the Lyme disease-causing bacteria, it will just leave your skin with a small inflamed bump or discoloration. It develops within hours of the tick bite or maybe after a day or two. However, it is not a serious infection.
Still, the best way to be sure if you notice a rash after being bitten by a tick is to consult a doctor.