What's your experience with rash?
I've had one just like that when I was bitten - 0.0% - 0 votes
That doesn't look like my rash - 33.3% - 1 votes
I think it is lyme, not sure. - 66.7% - 2 votes
It's something else more likely - 0.0% - 0 votes
Need more pictures - 0.0% - 0 votes
Go to the doctor now, you've got lyme - 0.0% - 0 votes
Posted 6/24/2010 2:05 PM (GMT -8)
I got this rash 5 days ago. Started out as a mosquito-bite size then in 3 days became 4.5 in diameter. The red center appeared on the third day as well. Rash was really warm to the touch.
I've never seen any tick biting me, but we do have a dog with flea/tick problem. But since the rash started, I've been getting headaches intermittenly and stif neck. Do you think it could be lyme? Does any Lymie remember having a similar rash?
CajunGrl
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2009
Posts : 4717
Posted 6/24/2010 3:17 PM (GMT -8)
Hi scaredicat,
Welcome to the forum! It does look like an EM rash but it's best to let your doctor look at it. It's good that you have pictures of it.
Posted 6/24/2010 4:41 PM (GMT -8)
Went to the doc. He is not sure what it is. Gave me tetracycline for 10 days. I tried to push him for longer just to be sure but he wouldn't budge.
ineisa
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2009
Posts : 72
Posted 6/25/2010 1:52 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Scaredicat,
My rash was different, look at my first posts, I have attached the link, I posted pics there. I believe for lyme the rash should be and eye bulls rash if you get a rash which is not all the time. But ticks carry many other diseases, and thus many different rashes. Also, my rash started different than an eye bulls rash, it was just like a ring on the 3rd day, then it developed to a what you see on the pics but it took 10 days or so, so keep an eye for it, it might change.
My opinion is to be better save than sorry, so I would get a doctor to prescribe or try to buy on line doxycycline and take 400mg a day till symptoms go.
Let us know how it goes,
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=1662539
XXX
Goldfinch
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 96
Posted 6/25/2010 8:22 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Scaredicat,
I had a similar rash. Mine started out as what I thought was a large mosquito bite (about the size of a half dollar) and within a day grew to a large oval rash about 8 inches x 6 inches. Please see link below. It was very warm to the touch and very red. My doctor said that the rash was an erythema migrans rash. I was diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease. I also had a stiff neck.
Traveler
Elite Member
Joined : May 2007
Posts : 36542
Posted 6/25/2010 10:39 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Scaredicat & welcome to the forum!!
I'm sorry to hear that you are not feeling well, but IMHO, you are right by investigating possible Lyme infection.
It's always better to be safe than sorry - especially with a possible tick-born infection!!!
Go to a qualified doc to check for Lyme & other tick-born illnesses.
nasalady
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2009
Posts : 1176
Posted 6/25/2010 11:14 AM (GMT -8)
Please find a Lyme Literate MD (LLMD) to test you for Lyme disease!! We cannot diagnose you because we are not doctors but the rash plus headaches and stiff neck are VERY common in Lyme disease.
Good luck!
JoAnn
Posted 6/25/2010 11:47 AM (GMT -8)
What tests do LLMD order to diagnose you? I have an appointment with an infectious disease specialist (who my family doc says is familiar with Lyme) and his nurse said to save me some money from an extra visit, I should order tests ahead. But which tests, she doesn't know. Which tests are mor preferred and cheapest? I don't have money for extra expensive ones.
thank to everyone who let me see their rash pics.
Post Edited (scaredicat) : 6/25/2010 1:55:40 PM (GMT-6)
nasalady
Veteran Member
Joined : Sep 2009
Posts : 1176
Posted 6/25/2010 12:06 PM (GMT -8)
Hi scaredicat,
Most doctors will typically order a Lyme ELISA test (blood test) first. If that is positive they will then order a Lyme Western Blot test. If it is negative, many doctors will stop there and tell you that you don't have Lyme. This is BAD, because the ELISA test has many many false negatives. So does the Western Blot, for that matter.
An experienced LLMD might put you on an antibiotic for a week and then order the Western Blot. This is called an "antibiotic challenge"....designed to "stir up" the Lyme and cause your body to produce the antibodies that the Western Blot tests for. The outcome of a Western Blot after an antibiotic challenge is likely to be more accurate. An LLMD will use the most recent IgeneX criteria plus your medical history to decide whether or not you have Lyme disease.
An infectious disease specialist may or may not agree with the ILADS protocols and the IgeneX criteria for diagnosing Lyme disease...most likely NOT. If he or she is inclined to believe the IDSA instead of the ILADS, then they will use the CDC criteria for the Western Blot to diagnose you. This will most likely result in you being told that you do not have Lyme disease when in fact you actually may have it.
Please read the literature and posts for newbies that have links at the top of the Lyme disease forum....there are contacts that will help you find a LLMD in your area!! Having the right doctor could actually save your life, so it is VERY important to find an LLMD!
JoAnn