 A typical early symptom of the disease is a slowly expanding red rash at the site of the tick bite. The rash usually appears within a week to a month after the bite and can slowly expand over several days. Sometimes there are multiple, secondary skin rashes. This large rash should not be confused with the harmless red spot that usually is seen immediately after receiving the bite. Many people have a small redness at the site of the bite, which is a normal sensitivity to the bite itself (if you are uncertain contact your doctor). Although a majority of infected persons develop the classic red rash, many do not. Other common symptoms of early Lyme Disease -- with or without the rash -- are flu-like, and include fatigue, headache, neck stiffness, jaw discomfort, pain or stiffness in muscles or joints, slight fever, swollen glands, or reddening of the eyes. A pregnant or nursing woman who is bitten by a tick or develops a rash or flu-like symptoms should contact her doctor. If untreated, Lyme Disease can progress to more serious stages. In these later stages of the disease, the joints, the heart, and the central nervous system can be involved. One example is so-called "Lyme Arthritis," with attendant joint pain and swelling. These symptoms, which usually occur in a single joint, can go away after a few days, and recur in another joint. Heart symptoms, which can occur within one to three weeks after the rash, include dizziness, weakness, and an irregular heartbeat. Still other patients may develop weakness of facial muscles -- drooping of an eyelid or a corner of the mouth, or inflammation of the eye. |
Classic Examples of the variety of rashes which may accompany early Lyme Disease.
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