IMPORTANT RASH FEATURES
Lyme disease rash is:
- Sometimes, but not usually, a ring within a ring Bull’s-eye rash appearance
- Often mistaken for a spider bite but is not a spider bite
- Not always present. Not everyone has a rash.
Characteristics of Lyme disease rash:
- Large expanding red round rash
- Grows to greater than 2” in diameter over days or weeks
- Bull’s eye appearance of rash only appears in the minority of Lyme disease cases
- Uniformly red in the majority of cases
A leading cause of misdiagnosis is the failure to recognize the Lyme disease rash, when present.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We strive for broader representation of rash photos for educational purposes. If you have pictures of a Lyme disease rash on a darker-skinned individual please help us by calling 410-616-7596 to discuss. -Thank you!
Research in our Center aims to improve the recognition of a Lyme disease rash:
- Our Center is working on AI methods to improve early diagnosis of the Lyme disease rash.
- A case study reveals that the Lyme disease rash may be harder to discern in people of color.
- Research shows the presenting characteristics of the Lyme disease rash vary by age, sex, duration, and body location.
- Johns Hopkins rash poster
- CDC rash poster
Available blood tests are antibody-based for Lyme disease and do not accurately diagnose Lyme disease in the first few weeks of infection. False negative tests are a problem in acute Lyme disease. Therefore, early Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis. Recognizing signs, such as the rash, and flu-like symptoms such as fever, achiness, extreme fatigue, severe headache or neckache can be vital to receiving appropriate early treatment.
Suspicious Rash or Flu-Like Symptoms?
If you have a suspicious expanding red circular rash and/or flu-like symptoms such as fever, achiness, extreme fatigue, severe headache or neckache, this could be acute Lyme disease. Please seek medical care immediately.
