Topic: My bite looks to be becoming a bullseye...how the heck can that happen on abx?
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Seriously, is this even possible?
I am on Doryx (extended release Doxycycline) twice a day. I won't mention my other antibiotics because I don't want to list too many details.
I had a bite mark but didn't know what bit me.(actually two, but so far only one is causing issues) At first it was just a scab. Now it is starting to look like the third photo here (the lady in the denim skirt):
The middle is pink and slightly raised and kind of hard to the touch (irritated) and then there is a purple ring further out. The ring is so light in color right now, that it is hard to see. I keep thinking I am imagining the ring because it's so light in color, or thinking that the whole area is swollen and that is making the lighting make a ring that is actually a shadow. If that makes sense.
But I think it is a real ring. I have looked at it from a million different angles, and it is there.
If the ring is gone tomorrow, I will chalk it up to me seeing things.
If the ring is darker tomorrow......what the heck????
I thought the cycline antibiotics got into the skin? Is this possible?
I have heard spider bites can cause a bullseye. Could this be something like that....some kind of toxin from a spider bite making a rash?
I am mostly posting because I am furious. I'd like to know if you guys think this is possible to get the EM (caused by bacteria) while on Doryx. I guess the ring could be a shadow, but if you look at that third picture, that's exactly what mine looks like, just a little lighter.
Guess I'll call my doc tomorrow.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
Hoos, here's the pic:
Posts: 6947 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
yup, that's it.
I am in chat right now with Evan, if you want to come in. I am mad.....
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I am so mad. In shock.
Please, leave encouragement here if you don't mind. I am going to bed, but I think it will help me sleep to know I'm waking up to encouragement.
I probably won't get up until later in the day, because it's so late now.
I am wondering if I should see an ID tomorrow to document all this. But I don't want to tell them all the stuff I'm already on, and get "the speech." Or, hear it's impossible because of what I'm on.
I am just still in so much disbelief that I keep thinking still "maybe it's a spider bite." So it's like I need to go to a doctor for them to tell me they see it too.
ps--there is still a chance this purple ring I'm seeing is a shadow, since the middle is puffed up slightly. I can't tell if the light ring I'm seeing is just where the swollen part meets the normal skin, etc.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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littlebit27
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24477
posted
I'm sorry-I don't know too much about the rashes cause I don't know if I had one.
But I too had a similar experience (not while on abx though). I thought it was a spider bite-really itchy and painful. And a red circle around it. Doc said spider bite as well. Now I look back and this oh crap...could that have been this damn tick that bit me?
If you go to a doc that doesn't know your history don't tell them what you your on. Just tell them you are concerned about the rash and what is it.
I have stopped being honest. I leave things out if it's not essential. I went to the dentist and told him what I am on. But if I ever go to another PCP or GP I am NOT getting into it all. I'm so sick of docs saying oh that doesn't happen. Or Lyme doesn't exist here. Anyway I wouldn't be honest.
I definitely see the ring in the picture. I don't see a purple ring-I see a red ring. Again really sorry you are going through all this.
I think they need to find a way to kill all the bugs that they even THINK might transmit Lyme!
posted
I have had numerous bullseye rashes while on antibiotics. I have them most during a J. Hx. and can count the days of the month and they show during a J. Hx. I have them mainly when I start a new med. My rashes are sometimes a purple color around the outside sometimes not. My darker rings appear on legs, usually lower legs, ankles. Hoosier, are you dark skinned. My mother is very dark skinned and I am not so much. I do tan darker and quicker than most people. I contribute the darker color to my skin coloring. Look for other rashes on your body. I have seen inside rings turn purplish on people and even scar and stay on the person for years. I have seen big infected looking blisters in the center of the bite and even a mole looking thing left after the bite was gone , in the center. Lots of photos is a good idea. Good luck
Posts: 211 | From In my house | Registered: May 2007
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lymielauren28
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13742
posted
Hoos, do NOT write this off - this is exactly what happened to me - had a bite mark with a scab and then got two seperate rashes two weeks apart. I felt the same thing as you...complete disbelief. The rash on my neck looked similar to the one in the photo and it faded VERY fast. Made me wonder if I was imagining things too.
Get on top of it now, nothing to mess around with and better safe than sorry aby day!
-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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Marnie
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 773
posted
It is not unusual for a rash to reappear (or appear for the first time) during treatment.
This has to do with IgE.
Google this for an understanding:
IgE lyme disease
Posts: 9426 | From Sunshine State | Registered: Mar 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- About the size of a silver dollar, I got 8 - 13 bulls eye "satellite" rashes (exactly the same places) with several trials of doxy. They itched and burned so badly, I had to stop with one or two doses. I tried again, probably about 6 times over a year (as doxy had been the only thing to reduce hyperacusis).
I had taken it before with no trouble but then, starting it back up after a break, the rashes clobbered me.
Such Rx-induced rashes happen sometimes and does not necessarily indicated a new bite. It can be a clearing of lyme toxins, maybe sites of old bites (and IgE as Marnie suggests). Some which such Rx-induced rashes have said that they disappeared as they continued treatment.
Although the bulls eye signature is clearly a calling card of borrelia, any skin problems can indicate a liver overload, be sure liver support is in place.
Also take photos for your file and to share with your LLMD. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
Thanks for the replies.
My LLMD's office called and said that the antibiotics I'm on should cover it. That was the message I was delivered.
I guess I believe them. But I'm not sure what to take from that response. I wish they would have said if it is or is not possible to show an EM with the meds I'm on.
The purple area isn't much darker today. So I am still not sure if it's a spider bite or not.
Last night it looked similar to the picture, except the purple wasn't as dark. Today, it almost looks like it's back to being "filled in" in the purple area, with no white showing between pink and purple.
It is DEFINITELY a bite though, not something showing up from being on antibiotics.
I am "white," and don't really have an olive tone to my skin. But I am more tanned than normal because of my Doryx. And also, my lower legs tend to be kind of purplish compared to my upper legs (don't worry, they aren't swollen, but it probably is some kind of health thing). So I think that's why it's harder to see the outer purple area.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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