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Having Skin Problem Which Looks Like Ringworm And Lyme Disease. How To Differentiate Between Them?

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Posted on Wed, 29 Aug 2012
Question: My wife has something that looks like both ring worm and lyme disease - how can I tell the difference?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir (4 hours later)
Hello,

Thanks for the question.
It is often hard to tell the difference between Lyme disease or Ringworm rash.

Ringworm rash is reddish, inflamed, scaly or crusty and raised up rings .In early stage ringworm rash appears 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 periphery of the patches continues to expand. Itching is more of a feature of ringworm rash. There are no other symptoms like fever or joint pain associated with ringworm.

Lymhe disease usually appears 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 rash is not usually painful or itchy. Rash is not raised above the skin and is not scaly or crusty in appearance.
Other symptoms Lyme associated with the rash including joint and muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, cognitive dysfunctions.

It may not be always possible for you to differentiate between these two rashes and so you might need help of your doctor.

Hope this answers your question. Please ask if there are doubts.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (7 hours later)
Can I submit a picture of the rash?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir (45 minutes later)
Please attach the picture on our website.
If some how that is not possible, then post it on some picture sharing site and provide me the link.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (28 minutes later)
try this link - top of the wall.

WWW.WWWW.WW
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir (1 minute later)
Can you please add few more photos with better resolution?

Also tell me more about your symptoms? Are there scaly and elevated edges?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (22 minutes later)
That's the best I have at the moment. If I rub my hand over it, it is raised. It is very very itchy. She describes it as very dry skin. It get lighter in the morning and gets redder through out the day (mainly because of scratching)
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir (14 minutes later)
Okay. I will vote in favor of Lyme disease.The rash looks like bull's eye.Red in the center then clear skin and again reddish at edges.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (4 days later)
I just wanted to let you know it was ring worm.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sudhir (2 hours later)
Thanks for follow up.

Regards.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Sudhir

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2000

Answered : 1415 Questions

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Having Skin Problem Which Looks Like Ringworm And Lyme Disease. How To Differentiate Between Them?

Hello,

Thanks for the question.
It is often hard to tell the difference between Lyme disease or Ringworm rash.

Ringworm rash is reddish, inflamed, scaly or crusty and raised up rings .In early stage ringworm rash appears 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 periphery of the patches continues to expand. Itching is more of a feature of ringworm rash. There are no other symptoms like fever or joint pain associated with ringworm.

Lymhe disease usually appears 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 rash is not usually painful or itchy. Rash is not raised above the skin and is not scaly or crusty in appearance.
Other symptoms Lyme associated with the rash including joint and muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, cognitive dysfunctions.

It may not be always possible for you to differentiate between these two rashes and so you might need help of your doctor.

Hope this answers your question. Please ask if there are doubts.

Regards.