This is a picture of my 8 yr old's rash that appeared 3 days after being bitten at a wooded swimming hole. This picture was taken on day 4, it had faded after being bright pink, I realized it could be serious so snapped a pic. I don't know for sure what bit her. Her pediatrician thinks he sees these all the time during the summer, that its nothing to worry about. We live in the Northwest and I was told we don't have a problem with Lyme here. He ordered a blood test, but I understand that it is too early for her tohave made antibodies, so a negative result would just be false reassurance. I am getting a second opinion from the local ND, she has been great in the past and I am hopeful that she will have reliable knowledge about this disease. Can anyone tell me if the image resembles an erythema migrans rash? Oh, it measured 4 cm diameter. I wonder how deeply to pursue this, as I understand Lyme disease can be devastating. Thank you for the list of LLMDs form other post. There is only one located (naturopath) near me, in Seattle. She will be my next option if my local ND can't help. Sincerly, Namayn
Posted by leadmare (Member # 15431) on :
This was my daughters. She has Lyme and Bartonella.
Your childs rash? would cause me great concern! I'd be pushing for treatment quickly!
Posted by Skyler (Member # 11549) on :
They range in size and intensity...
But, in my opinion, it looks convincing enough to treat it as a very possible case of Lyme Disease.
Its wonderful you are doing your research on this. If her test does come back negative, try it again. Also, there is a more comprehensive LYme test done though IgenX Labs.
also, Keep your eye out for the starting symptoms. Fever, fatigue, flu like symptoms, stiff neck and headache.
Best Wishes!
Posted by Leelee (Member # 19112) on :
I'm not an expert at all, but I agree with Skyler amd leadmare's opinions that treatment is in order.
It looks to my untrained eye like a version of the Lyme rash. I've been bitten by several ticks and never got a rash but have Lyme, Babs and Bart.
Rashes don't always appear and if they do they don't always look "typical". Although I live in Maryland, I am confident in saying that your doctor is mistaken. Lyme is a problem nearly everywhere -- even in your area.
Best of luck to you and your little one.
Posted by nenet (Member # 13174) on :
The image shows a central darker area, an area of clearing, and an outer darker edge. This is the description of a classic bulls-eye Erythema Migrans rash.
Here is a very small sampling of some different presentations of this rash - it does NOT include every type possible. There can be many variations:
With a Lyme-literate specialist's evaluation, I wouldn't doubt they would declare this is/was an EM, which in itself is diagnostic of Lyme disease. No further testing is needed to prove infection, according to the CDC.
If I were you, I would seek evaluation by a seasoned specialist, and treatment per ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) guidelines, and full experienced evaluation for possible co-infections, which are the norm in infectious tick bite cases.
Testing is not meant to be used for ruling out Lyme or other tick-borne disease diagnosis. The CDC dictates that Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, based on presentation of symptoms or signs (the EM, for example), health history, and history of risk.
Once you have treatment prescription(s) in proper doseage and type, I would seek an appointment with a full ILADS-trained LLMD, so that you can establish a relationship with them, and get their careful analysis. Once you start a patient history with them, they might be able to consult with your local ND, so that you won't have to travel to the LLMD except rarely. It is an option some people have found, in some cases.
Good luck. Please read Dr. C's Western Blot Explanation for more information on testing:
It is very helpful as a primer to understanding the pitfalls and nuances of this disease and the medical community's current weak points in relation to its diagnosis and treatment.
If your pediatrician is "seeing these all the time in the summer", then he is misdiagnosing (missing) a lot of Lyme cases. It absolutly IS something to worry about. Lyme can cause minimal symptoms for a long while, and then become absolutely devastating, In some cases it has killed people. Not to overly alarm you, but this disease is nothing to shrug off, and it breaks my heart to read so many accounts of Doctors not being informed.
They many times just don't know better, and that is mostly the fault of the government (CDC, NIH), and a group called the Infectious Diseases Society of America. It's a long story, but I just wanted to clarify that I think the world of most GPs, and Pediatricians, and I know they would do more if they were only informed properly.
