Erythema migrans, aka erythema chronicum migrans, is a type of erythema that is a symptom of Borrelia bacteria infection. And this infection is brought to you via a tick bite.
Erythema migrans begins as a round red rash at your bite site and spreads out. As the rash grows, circular rings of varying shades of red begin to emerge. Frequently, erythema chronicum migrans’ expansion looks like a “bull’s-eye”, as in dart board and not cow.
Erythema migrans infection symptom may develop within hours of your tick bite or the bullseye appearance may take several weeks to show up. This round red rash is often the first symptom of Lyme disease.
Sometimes, the painless circular red rash is misdiagnosed as ringworm or a spider bite. Although, the fungal skin infection can be ruled out by testing and a spider bite tends to be painful.
Your erythema chronicum migrans might be followed by various symptoms of Lyme disease, which are similar to influenza, like:
The presence of an erythema migrans allows for a positive diagnosis of Lyme disease because no other pathogen has been found to cause this distinctive round red bullseye rash.
There is no specific treatment for the rash itself. Instead, treatment typically involves an antibiotic for your bacterial infection.
Lyme disease is an emerging infectious disease that’s currently mired in controversy as to its symptomatology and treatment. But one symptom that’s not in dispute is the cause of erythema migrans circular red rash.