Is a bullseye rash a sign of Lyme disease?
An expanding red rash, sometimes with a clear center, that appears 3 to 30 days after a tick bite is called erythema migrans. It is the most common early sign of Lyme disease.
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Check my biteWhat it looks like
- Round or oval red patch that grows over days, often wider than 5 cm (2 inches)
- May have a clearer center, but many rashes are evenly red
- Usually warm, rarely itchy or painful
- Harder to see on darker skin, where it may look bruise-colored
What to do
- Photograph the rash next to a ruler each day
- Note the date of the bite and where you were
- Contact a clinician: early antibiotics work well
See a doctor if you notice
- Any expanding rash after a tick bite
- Fever, chills, joint pain, or facial drooping
Trouble breathing, face or throat swelling: call 911 now.
Other bite guides
Educational information only, not a diagnosis. BiteID is in alpha testing.