Ringworm vs Lyme Disease- How to tell the difference between the Bulls Eye Rashes

It is often hard to tell the difference between Lyme Disease or Ringworm when a mystery "Bulls Eye" rash suddenly appears. Decisions can be even more complicated if you do not remember being bitten by a tick. When I found my first bulls eye I knew Lyme was a possibility, but I did not know what else could cause it. Upon research, I found out that only 2 things can cause that distinct circular rash... Lyme Disease and Ringworm.

There are many similar characteristics between them which makes it harder to know the difference between the two but there are differences. I will briefly cover some information about each disease and I have also included a picture reference guide to easily help you identify which rash you may have.

Ringworm is a common skin disorder otherwise known as Tinea. While there are multiple forms of ringworm, the most common affects the body and is medically known as tinea corporis. Early belief that the infection was caused by a parasite (worm), the term ringworm was born. While the condition is actually the result of a fungal infection, the name 'ringworm' has stuck.

When the fungus affects the skin on the body, it often produces the round spots of classic ringworm. The Ringworm Rash generally has the following characteristics when found on the skin (other variations will produce different presentations when for example on the foot or scalp):

• Generally characterized by the occurrence of singular or multiple reddish, inflamed, scaly or crusty and raised up rings with sizes ranging from one to a few centimeters in diameter.
  
• In the beginning stage of the disease, the lesions caused by ringworm appear like spots or dots, later on taking a circular shape. This is due to the fact that the middle regions of the disk shaped patches begin to heal, while the extremities of the patches continue to expand, covering up larger areas of skin.
• They have an "active" outer border as they slowly grow and advance.
• The lesions may either have a dry or moist texture. Dry lesions are commonly associated with inflammation and scaling of the skin, while moist lesions also involve the occurrence of small blisters along the extremities of the rings and the formation of crust.
  
• Both types of lesions may become itchy and tender, although the intensity of these symptoms is usually mild or moderate. These are the only symptoms that will appear.
  

Doctor-prescribed antifungal medications should be able to stop the proliferation of the fungi within the first few days of treatment, and completely clear up the infection within 2 or 3 weeks. If left untreated, it may start to go away on its own after approximately a month.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacterium called a spirochete that is carried by deer ticks. An infected tick can transmit the spirochete to the humans and animals it bites. Untreated, the bacterium travels through the bloodstream, establishes itself in various body tissues, and can cause a number of symptoms, some of which are severe.

The first symptom is not always but usually a circular rash called erythema migrans, or EM rash . Please note though, that not all Lyme will present with a rash. An EM rash generally has the following characteristics:

• Usually appears most likely as a central spot surrounded by clear skin that is surrounded by an expanding red rash to form the appearance of a bulls eye or occasionally as a solid red blotch with a lighter center.They can vary as to how light or dark in appearance they present themselves.
• Lyme Disease EM's are not usually painful or itchy. They are level with the skin and are not scaly or crusty in appearance. (please note that tick co-infection rashes may be itchy or painful)
• Usually (but not always) it radiates from the site of the tick bite. However, you can be bitten on the neck and have your rash appear on your leg.
• Appears for an average of 1 to 2 weeks but may range from 2 to 30 days after disease transmission. Will not react to any fungal or hydrocortisone creams.
• Has an average diameter of 4 to 6 inches but may range 1 inch to 2 feet anywhere on the body. Most common places are on the legs, neck, arms and back.
• Other symptoms can initially surface with this rash including joint and muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, cognitive dysfunctions. Many other symptoms will arise as the disease progresses further and becomes more toxic in the body.

This guide is not meant to replace your doctors care, but to better educate yourself. If you suspect Lyme Disease, do not hesitate to get to a doctors office but be well educated before you get there. Many doctors, even infectious disease specialists, are misinformed of the dangers of Lyme Disease. It is an easy to get disease and hard to treat if left untreated for more then a few weeks. It can take months and even years to get better if misdiagnosed. I personally have been battling this disease for two and a half years due to being misdiagnosed for 8 months even though I had the EM rash and my doctor saw it first hand. Testing for Lyme Disease is poor and fails over 50% of the time. There are many resources available out there for research and also treatment by Lyme Literate doctors.

Need more information? Here are a few to start!

www.ILADS.org

www.lymedisease.org

www.Lymenet.org

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-object-of-my-infection/4774927

Need a Lyme Doctor?

http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/Doctor_Referrals.html