I know I have been on here with past rashes and the suspicion of my misdx. with ms and that i may have lyme instead... i did make an appt. with dr. c for end of june. GO Figure.........i go camping with my family and we used 3 cans of tick repellent and we still got molested by ticks... i pulled one off of me that was on me overnight and now i have this rash a day later...my husband is floored and said "as if you don't have enough to deal with" I just can't believe this... i am getting in to my pcp in the morning.. I don't think i would know if i had flu-like symptoms because i always ache and feel bad. Does this rash look alarming???? anyone elses look like that a day later??? it is the size of my fist... by the way i have the tick in a bottle and it was a lone star anyone know what infection they can cause and i live in KY???
thank you, Lisa
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
That is a Lyme rash if it is that big and was where you were bitten. Glad you took a photo. That means you HAVE Lyme. I hope you find a good Lyme doc and don't go chronic. The rash is caused by actual organisms in you. If it was smaller than 3 cm it could be a reaction to tick enzymes but as mbig as a fist? YOU HAVE LYME.
MOST rashes are plain red splotches NOT bulls eye rashes!!!
DON't let them biopsy that rash and look at it under a microscope and return results same day- a true Lyme skin biopsy takes WEEKS because they have to culture it- but some dermatologists don't know that-
FIND a LLMD and get treated ASAP or you could be chronic for life. And maybe those aches & pains oyu have had for a while will all go away, too*)!
Best wishes, Sarah
Posted by iceskater (Member # 8655) on :
Wow. Glad that you took a picture. What a rash. ( I never had a rash with my tick bite, and never camped or hiked, gardening so I never knew what hit me; so that is what some people's look like). Lyme Disease association had a pamphlet out a while ago that showed pictures of tick species and what they transmitted. I am sure there are board members here and possibly in links that will anwer that question.
In the mean time, good luck and get good treatment!! Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's alarming to ME!! It would be even more alarming on MY body!!
Glad you're going to Dr C. He will take care of it! Definitely get started on some doxy ASAP!!
Lone Star ticks carry the same diseases the other ticks do. Same treatment is needed.
They are may carry ehrlichiosis more frequently than deer ticks according to research.
Posted by lisabeth (Member # 11725) on :
I seen the doc. and we both agree that we should consider STARI which is sometimes carried by lone star ticks especially in south central states like ky. she started a 21 day treatment of doxy.
I am wondering what should i expect to happen on the med. if I do have chronic lyme and not ms which i was dx. in aug 2005 with ms.??? and I have progressed so fast and in a powerchair full time with also dx. with POTS... does the herxing usually start within the 21days???
thank you, Lisa
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
21 days of Doxy>?
If that is MS Lyme you should expect nothing.
You never know though.
But even for a recent infection, 21 days? You don't want Lyme induced MS on top of whatever it is you already have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They gave me a month 9 years ago and ta da, here I am,at LymeNet*)! (love the people though-) Sincerely, Sarah
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Lisa,
If you still have the rash, you might want to send a tissue sample to Igenex. They will do a PCR test on biopsy specimens. This test looks for the DNA of the bacteria.
Send 3 biopsy samples...for 3 times more chance of detecting the bacteria.
Be sure your doctor takes the biopsy from the inner edge of the advancing rash. The bacteria are multiplying at the edge of the lesion. Come inside from the outside edge just a bit and take the biopsy. Don't take it from the tick bite site.
Be sure your doctor puts the biopsy in a dry sterile container, such as a sterile urine specimen cup. Put all 3 pieces in the cup. Do not put the specimens in formalin or any other preservative.
Mail the biopsy by overnight express on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Be aware that not all Lyme EM biopsies will come back positive for Lyme. If there is no bacteria in that specific tissue, the test will be negative. There must be bacteria present for the DNA to be detected.
I had this last summer...it cost about $250. I have not tried to be reimbursed for it. I think it was $50 to ship it.
Call Igenex to see if they've changed the procedure or price.
The dermatologist that did my biopsy didn't know you had to take it from the advancing edge.
I wanted documentation of my EM...thought it was due to Lyme disease, but wasn't sure. My rash was solid red in the beginning...a 3 inch diameter circle. It expanded to a 7 by 4 inch oval. The center was very red, like yours, and the outer part was sunburn-pink. There was no central clearing. There was a thin white line between the 2 different colored areas.
![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
It would be even more alarming on MY body!! ![[Wink]](wink.gif)