Erythema migrans

For the tongue condition also sometimes called "erythema migrans", see Geographic tongue.
Not to be confused with erythema multiforme, despite that both often involve target lesions (but from different causes).

Erythema migrans or erythema chronicum migrans is an expanding rash often seen in the early stage of Lyme disease, and can also (but less commonly) be caused by southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI).[1][2] It can appear anywhere from one day to one month after a tick bite. This rash does not represent an allergic reaction to the bite, but rather an actual skin infection of one of the Lyme bacteria species from the genus Borrelia. The rash's name comes from Neo-Latin for "migrating redness."

  • In Europe, 80% of Lyme rashes look like a "bull's eye," but in only 20% of cases in the United States. (20 percent of Lyme infections show no rash.)[3][4][5]
    In Europe, 80% of Lyme rashes look like a "bull's eye," but in only 20% of cases in the United States. (20 percent of Lyme infections show no rash.)[3][4][5]
  • Erythema migrans ("migrating redness") and may have no definite pattern, as in this Lyme rash on a woman's neck.[6] Rashes from non-Lyme causes may look similar.[3][7]
    Erythema migrans ("migrating redness") and may have no definite pattern, as in this Lyme rash on a woman's neck.[6] Rashes from non-Lyme causes may look similar.[3][7]
  1. ^ "Lone star tick a concern, but not for Lyme disease". U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Retrieved 6 October 2017. Page last reviewed: October 22, 2015
  2. ^ Naktin, Jaan Peter (2017). "Diagnostic Utility of Erythema Migrans". Clinical Infectious Diseases. 65 (12): 2156–2157. doi:10.1093/cid/cix544. ISSN 1058-4838. PMID 28605419.
  3. ^ a b Wright WF, Riedel DJ, Talwani R, Gilliam BL (June 2012). "Diagnosis and management of Lyme disease". Am Fam Physician. 85 (11): 1086–93. PMID 22962880. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  4. ^ Tibbles CD, Edlow JA (20 June 2007). "Does This Patient Have Erythema Migrans?". JAMA. 297 (23): 2617–27. doi:10.1001/jama.297.23.2617. PMID 17579230.
  5. ^ "Lyme disease rashes and look-alikes". Lyme Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  6. ^ Boyce, RM; Pretsch, P; Tyrlik, K; Schulz, A; Giandomenico, DA; Barbarin, AM; Williams, C (March 2024). "Delayed Diagnosis of Locally Acquired Lyme Disease, Central North Carolina, USA". Emerging Infectious Diseases. 30 (3): 564–567. doi:10.3201/eid3003.231302. PMC 10902532. PMID 38407256.
  7. ^ Trayes, KP; Savage, K; Studdiford, JS (1 September 2018). "Annular Lesions: Diagnosis and Treatment". American Family Physician. 98 (5): 283–291. PMID 30216021.