I would like to know how the rash (Erythema Migrans) looks like on a dark (african american) skin. On the web I can only find pictures of white skin. Actually all skin conditions are on white skin, easier to see. But that's just the problem, what to look for if it's not easy to see? Has anyone got a good picture of the rash on dark skin, or know a good link?
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Sorry, don't know of a good pic. The text at various sites says that on dark skin the EM may look like a bruise. Maybe someone will come along with better info.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
However, this skin does not look very dark. I guess that on really dark skin it would be hard to see at all.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Eezie,
I've read before that there is a belief Lyme is missed more often among African Americans because of the difficulty seeing the rash.
Remember that you can get Lyme without the rash as well. So don't just look for a rash.
Posted by bluesdoc (Member # 10017) on :
The darker your skin, the harder it will be to see red. Simple and unfortunate optical reality in this realm.
jon
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Good job, Lou! I guess we need to get tree to add that to his links.
Posted by farah (Member # 8496) on :
Hi Eezie,
The rash looks more like bruises on dark skin. I have dark skin and the rash was mistaken for eczema by the dumb doctors I saw. My rash looked like a filled in circular darker brown bruise the size of a half dollar, and the outer ring of the bulls-eye was imperceptible. For me, the rash itched and burned like heck, which is atypical. The rash also does not always look like a bulls-eye if there are co-infections, so if you see bruise like rashes that are other shapes, they can be a Lyme rash as well. I wish I had taken a picture of my rash, but I didn't because I was reassured by the idiot doctors that it was "just eczema" till my other symptoms appeared. This was way back in 2002. I am well now.
The rash looks more like bruises on dark skin. I have dark skin and the rash was mistaken for eczema by the dumb doctors I saw.
My rash looked like a filled in circular darker brown bruise the size of a half dollar, and the outer ring of the bulls-eye was imperceptible .
For me, the rash itched and burned like heck, which is atypical.
The rash also does not always look like a bulls-eye if there are co-infections, so if you see bruise like rashes that are other shapes, they can be a Lyme rash as well.
I wish I had taken a picture of my rash, but I didn't because I was reassured by the idiot doctors that it was "just eczema" till my other symptoms appeared. This was way back in 2002. I am well now. Farah
Farah, I'm so glad you answered this as I was going to recommend that they contact you. I read your comments in last 1-2 days!
Yes, we need to work on having the dark-skin photos being on the:
LEFT hand column, LDA SITE, Treepatrol's newbie sites, and Cheryl's site, etc.
Welcome to the site; I'll send you a PM, private message with some newbie links/advise.
I also added the 2 web sites to my newbies sites! good addition for others to come... Bettyg
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