Lyme disease frequently presents as a red or pink circle that is short-lived, sometimes disappearing before the rash is noticed by the person affected. The rash of Lyme disease typically consists of a red or pink circle, or sometimes a ring within a ring appearing like a bull's-eye. This is a classic presentation of Lyme disease, with a pink circle appearing to spread outward from the tick bite. The tick of Lyme disease is very small. This ruler is in millimeters, showing a tick that is 3 mm in length.
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Lyme Disease  Information for adults

Picture of Lyme Disease: Lyme disease frequently presents as a red or pink circle that is short-lived, sometimes disappearing before the rash is noticed by the person affected. Divider line
Lyme disease frequently presents as a red or pink circle that is short-lived, sometimes disappearing before the rash is noticed by the person affected.
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Self-Care Guidelines
If you suspect you have had a tick bite and may have contracted Lyme disease, call your doctor. If you have found a tick on your skin and removed it, you may want to save the tick in a small container of alcohol so that it can be used for identification.

Ticks begin transmitting Lyme disease about 24–48 hours after attaching to the host. You can reduce your chances of getting Lyme disease by removing the tick within 48 hours.

To remove the tick, you will need tweezers and isopropyl alcohol.

  1. Sterilize the tweezers with alcohol, and make sure to wash your hands. You should not clean or disturb the skin near the tick.
  2. Grasp the part of the tick that is embedded in the skin with the tweezers, not the body where you may see tiny legs.
  3. The tick will likely be firmly embedded. Pull it outward in one motion. Do not twist or jerk the tweezers. Do not apply anything to the tick that you think may help it come out smoothly as this may result in a part of the tick being left in the skin.
  4. Clean the bite wound with alcohol. If you are not sure if the entire tick has been removed, see your doctor.
Observe the bitten area for the appearance of a rash for up to a month after the bite. It is probably best to call your doctor for further guidance if you think you have been bitten by a tick. If a rash or other early symptoms of Lyme disease develop, see a physician immediately.
When to Seek Medical Care
It is probably best to call your doctor for further guidance if you think you have been bitten by a tick. If a rash or other early symptoms of Lyme disease develop, see a physician immediately.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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