Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBullseye RashErythema MigransLyme Disease Rash VariationsOther SymptomsSimilar RashesWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Bullseye Rash
Erythema Migrans
Lyme Disease Rash Variations
Other Symptoms
Similar Rashes
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Lyme disease often is known for its classic bullseye rash but symptoms can appear in multiple ways.Identifying Lyme disease with pictures can help you to understand these different types of rashes.
kmatija / Getty Images
Lyme disease can appear in a variety of ways but a bullseye rash is a classic symptom. Some people may also describe the appearance of the rash as a target.
The middle of the rash will be a reddened circle shape, then a lighter circle will surround that, and finally, another reddened circle will surround the lighter circle.
A bullseye rash is rarely itchy or painful and may not always follow this description.It can follow the initial stage of anerythema migransrash.
anakopa / Getty Images
In theearly stages, erythema migrans rash appears in 70% to 80% of people infected with Lyme disease. The rash will emerge three to 30 days after the tick bite, with an average appearance time of about seven days.
It’s important to note that an erythema migrans rash can vary in appearance and may not present as a classic textbook rash.
Erythema migransrash can appear on any part of the body. It will:
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet and © Raimo Suhonen dermnetnz.org 2023
Lyme disease rashes do not always follow a specific pattern or appearance. Some of the variations to the classic bullseye or erythema migrans rash include:
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoDermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
DermNet /CC BY-NC-ND
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease produces more than just a rash. Approximately 50% of people will have flu-like symptoms that develop within a few days or weeks of the infection.These symptoms include:
Is Lyme Disease Contagious?
Ringworm
Ringwormis a fungal infection on the skin that causes a rash. The rash appears red and circular with scaly, bumpy edges. It feels itchy, burns, or can sting.
It can occur almost anywhere but is more commonly seen on the head, groin, and feet.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Hives
Hives, also known asurticaria, are raised red, itchy bumps. They blanch or turn white when pressed.
Hives can appear almost anywhere on the body with hives in different shapes and distribution. There are numerous hive triggers, including:
Other Bug Bites
Abug bitecan develop a bump and redness resembling a Lyme disease rash.
Those hypersensitive tobug bitesmay develop a large red rash with a small bump near the center where the bug bite occurred. This can be difficult to differentiate from erythema migrans, except that it will not turn into a bullseye.
Lyme disease is a serious infection that can spread to the heart,nervous system, and joints. It needs to be treated with an antibiotic.
Contact a healthcare provider if you have:
Keep in mind that some people experience post-treatment symptoms due to Lyme disease. If you have beendiagnosedand treated for the infection but still have symptoms, continued care may be needed.
A Word From VerywellWhile most tick bites are innocuous, several tick-borne illnesses can occur after a tick bite. It is important to see a doctor if symptoms develop after a tick bite, such as a rash, fever, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle aches, as these may be signs of an underlying illness.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
While most tick bites are innocuous, several tick-borne illnesses can occur after a tick bite. It is important to see a doctor if symptoms develop after a tick bite, such as a rash, fever, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle aches, as these may be signs of an underlying illness.—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
While most tick bites are innocuous, several tick-borne illnesses can occur after a tick bite. It is important to see a doctor if symptoms develop after a tick bite, such as a rash, fever, headache, fatigue, and joint and muscle aches, as these may be signs of an underlying illness.
—BRENDAN CAMP, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
Contact a healthcare provider anytime a tick bite from a Lyme disease-carrying tick (like deer tick) is suspected.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of untreated Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease rashes.Penn Medicine.Lyme disease.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Signs of Lyme disease that appear on your skin.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.MedlinePlus.Ringworm.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.Wester KE, Nwokeabia BC, Hassan R, Dunphy T, Osondu M, Wonders C,et al.What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.Cureus. 2024 Jul 20;16(7):e64987. doi:10.7759/cureus.64987
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of untreated Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease rashes.Penn Medicine.Lyme disease.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Signs of Lyme disease that appear on your skin.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.MedlinePlus.Ringworm.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.Wester KE, Nwokeabia BC, Hassan R, Dunphy T, Osondu M, Wonders C,et al.What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.Cureus. 2024 Jul 20;16(7):e64987. doi:10.7759/cureus.64987
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of untreated Lyme disease.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease rashes.Penn Medicine.Lyme disease.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Signs of Lyme disease that appear on your skin.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.MedlinePlus.Ringworm.American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.Wester KE, Nwokeabia BC, Hassan R, Dunphy T, Osondu M, Wonders C,et al.What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.Cureus. 2024 Jul 20;16(7):e64987. doi:10.7759/cureus.64987
Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.Signs and symptoms of untreated Lyme disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Lyme disease rashes.
Penn Medicine.Lyme disease.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Signs of Lyme disease that appear on your skin.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How lyme disease spreads.
MedlinePlus.Ringworm.
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.
Wester KE, Nwokeabia BC, Hassan R, Dunphy T, Osondu M, Wonders C,et al.What Makes It Tick: Exploring the Mechanisms of Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.Cureus. 2024 Jul 20;16(7):e64987. doi:10.7759/cureus.64987
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
