LymeNet Flash: How many continue getting EM rashes during treatment?

This is topic How many continue getting EM rashes during treatment? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :

Hi everyone,

Many of you know me, I've been posting for quite a while for my own chronic Lyme issues.

But my elderly father was bitten two months ago and got Lyme.

I'm in a city where I wasn't believed four years ago when it happened to me and the doctors didn't believe my father, even with me standing there giving my testimonial.

I got him on antibiotics fairly quickly, and finally got him in to see my Lyme doctor eight hours away. He has been quite symptomatic despite early treatment, but he is improving on Doxy.

Here's my question. He initially had two large rashes - one had bite marks - on one ankle. Several days later he got a classic bullseye on the other leg, although we couldn't see puncture marks.

Now, more than two months later, he has three little circular rashes under his arm.

I've read on Lymenet that some people continue to have a recurrence of EM rashes, sometimes months or years into treatment. The rashes can show up in entirely different areas of the body from the original bite.

I'm trying to research this on the various Lyme sites and I did look in the newbies section.

I am finally getting him in to see the only local Lyme doctor we have here, this Monday. In the meantime, we continue to take photos/measurements of the rashes, with ruler or coin in photo for scale.

We don't know if he keeps getting bitten or if these are EMs that show up in reaction to treatment. I only had an initial EM, no further ones.

We don't know if he was bitten at my house or his (40 miles apart) - but neither one of us is the least bit outdoorsy, although he gardens a little. (I was bitten while standing on cement feeding a cat so I know it doesn't have to be the hiking/camping scenario). Neither of us has pets, so that would not be a source for being re-bitten.

Thank you for any help you can give me. I am so sick that he has been trying to care for me. Now I am caring for him and trying to work, too, and completely distraught.

Jill

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

Jill, I sympathize with you; the ill taking care of the ill and then working! goodness...

I have gotten my EM rashes; NOT bulls-eye type but the small pimple like that run a fever, so warm to touch, ITCH LIKE CRAZY, and start bleeding due to my itching. Been all over my body.

I now use rubbing alcohol on my itching rash; it really helps. I've tried all RX/OTC creams for itch, etc...nothing helps.

Good luck to you both! Bettyg [Big Grin]

Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :

Thank you, Betty.

Yes, my dad's rashes itch a lot. That's the first sign they are coming on.

My one EM never itched and was very faint so I didn't know it was a tick bite until I figured it out 18 months later. But I've never had rashes reappear unless it's an allergic reaction to a medication.

Thank you again for your support and information. I'll pass it along to my dad.

Take care,
Jill

Posted by tabbytamer (Member # 3159) on :

After my first three months of treatment with high dose abx, I started developing EM rashes. Like, one or two at a time. They would start about the size of a pea and pale. Then get darker pink and expand.

Only one of them has itched. All the others were just sitting there until they faded away.

They could hang around for weeks.

I still have some tan discoloration on my back where one EM was for some time over two years ago.

Glad to hear your Dad is getting in to see LLMD on Monday [woohoo]