Atypical Lyme Disease Rash: A Case Report

Lyme disease (LD), caused in the United States primarily by sensu lato, is a tick-borne illness characterized by a spectrum of clinical manifestations depending on the stage of illness. Most clinicians are familiar with the classic bullseye appearance of the erythema migrans (EM) rash that occurs in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2024-02, Vol.16 (2), p.e54779
Main Authors: Khanna, Selena, Goebel, Lynne J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdomen
Antibiotics
Arachnids
Arthritis
Breasts
Case reports
Chronic illnesses
Education
Erythema
Family/General Practice
Infectious Disease
Internal Medicine
Lyme disease
Meningitis
Patients
Skin
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Summary:Lyme disease (LD), caused in the United States primarily by sensu lato, is a tick-borne illness characterized by a spectrum of clinical manifestations depending on the stage of illness. Most clinicians are familiar with the classic bullseye appearance of the erythema migrans (EM) rash that occurs in the early stage of the disease. However, many providers may not be aware of alternate appearances for the rash. This paper reports the case of a 69-year-old female with LD, exhibiting an atypical rash with purplish discoloration that was devoid of an outer ring or central clearing. In geographic areas with a high incidence of LD, it is especially important for clinicians to recognize alternative LD presentations. Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion of LD in patients with tick bites, even without typical EM, to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. Education on diverse LD presentations is crucial for improving public health outcomes.
ISSN:2168-8184
2168-8184
DOI:10.7759/cureus.54779