All About Lyme Disease Rash

The Lyme disease rash that is caused by Borrelia spirochetes is called erythema migrans. It is the most common symptom for the screening for Lyme disease as stipulated by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and Centers for Disease Control.

Erythema Migrans manifests itself as a round or oval rash that increase in size. The center of the lyme disease rash becomes reddish. The inner portions of the rash are clear. It gives the appearance of a bull’s eye rash. The appearance of the rash may vary from person to person.

It is possible for the center of the rash to be raised or eroded. A bluish red rash, resembling a bruise is also fairly common. There is also possibility of multiple rashes.

Nearly 10 percent of lyme disease rash are atypical in form. Such rashes are in danger of being ignored as they do not follow the regular pattern. In such cases, Lyme disease, too, can be struck off the list.

Most Lyme disease rashes range from five to 25 cm in diameter. It may cover an important part of the leg or torso. Multiple rashes are also possible.

Research by Dr Carmen Moreno and her colleagues at Universidad Autnoma, Madrid has been published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Research indicates that such rashes have a similar microscopic structure:

• Histiocytes increase in number at the deeper layers of the skin. Histiocytes are phagocytic cells that affect the immune system.
• Histiocytes can form rosettes in constellations surrounded by thickened collagen fibres.
• Polymerase chain reaction biopsies from the outermost layers of the rashes indicated DNA of Borrelia. This is in sharp contrast to biopsies from the center of the rashes. Out of 11 patients, five tested positive for ELISA. The IgM and IgG ELISA were inconclusive for the remaining six.

Lyme Disease Treatment

Lyme disease is a disease caused by ticks. It causes rash, fever, chills, and body aches. In worst cases, it can lead to swelling, weakness and partial paralysis. The bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is responsible for the disease. Deer ticks that feed on the blood of animals and humans can spread the disease.

The chances of getting infected increase if you spend time in grassy areas or regions where ticks thrive. Lyme disease can be prevented by using simple, practical steps.

The following are some of the ways for Lyme disease treatment.

Oral antibiotics
Oral antibiotics are the most common form of Lyme disease treatment. The most common antibiotic is doxycycline, prescribed for adults and children over the age of eight. Other antibiotics include amoxicillin or cefuroxime, which can be administered to children as well as pregnant and breast-feeding women. With the help of these medications, most infections and complications disappear. The antibiotics should be administered over a course of 14 to 21 days. In some cases, two weeks is sufficient. Longer periods of treatment can lead to other complications.

Intravenous antibiotics
More progressive forms of the disease may require intravenous antibiotics as part of lyme disease treatment. This prevents the spread of infection. You may need more time to recuperate completely. Intravenous administration of antibiotics can lead to many side effects, such as a low WBC count, gallstones, and diarrhea.

Avoid Consumption of Bismacine
Bismacine is an injectable compound prescribed by some practitioners in Lyme disease treatment. The Food and Drug Administration has warned against the use of bismacine to treat Lyme disease. Bismacine, alternatively known as chromacine, has high levels of metal bismuth. Certain medications for stomach ulcers do contain bismuth. Bismacine should not be used intravenously. The use of bismacine can lead to bismuth poisoning, which can cause heart and kidney disease.