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Suggest Treatment For Lyme Disease Symptoms

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Posted on Tue, 11 Apr 2017
Question: Hi !
My husband has had a weird red circular mark on his butt cheek that spread to another smaller circle about 5 months ago, he's been to a dermatologist who said she thought it was fungal and gave him a cream. It has gotten better then now, worse, and now looks like a large 'comma' made up of smaller round raised bumps. each bump is about the size of a nailhead and the are in a steady overall comma shape. The smaller mark is larger too and comprised of three or four smaller 'nailhead size bumps. At the same time, he has had swelling in his knee (front and back) and difficulty walking etc. He is 64 years old and very fit, not overweight and we live in the tropics (Bahamas). No one has been able to diagnose him there and says knee swelling etc is arthritis. He does complain sometimes of stiffness in his hands as well but this knee swelling etc has happened suddenly and gotten worse suddenly, not over time. About a year ago he also had unexplained facial swelling that moved from place to place (upper lip , cheek etc) they said that was a result of some dental work and possible was but it continued to move around, disappear and reappear for about 6 months. He has not had that anymore but now this knee swelling and weird rash. I am concerned about all of this and wonder if it might be related. Please help and advise ???

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Answered by Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possible Diagnosis:Chronic Lyme disease, Advice to consult doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank You for the query at HealthcareMagic

I have gone through your question and I can understand your concern

Since your husband have rashes not responding to treatments along with joint pain and swelling, facial swelling I would like to rule out Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete infection and is transmitted by tick bite. However most patients do not remember the tick bite.

Lyme disease can cause a spectrum of chronic and recurrent symptoms like rashes, joint pain,swelling,tiredness, fatigue, flu like symptoms,muscle pain etc .
Treatment is with Antibiotics. Proper treatment will help resolve the symptoms.
Confirmation of diagnosis require blood test looking for the presence of infection.

I'd recommend that your husband consult a Primary care Provider to discuss this possibility and further management.

Hope I was able to answer your question
Please address any more concerns
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi
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. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Lyme Disease Symptoms

Brief Answer: Possible Diagnosis:Chronic Lyme disease, Advice to consult doctor Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank You for the query at HealthcareMagic I have gone through your question and I can understand your concern Since your husband have rashes not responding to treatments along with joint pain and swelling, facial swelling I would like to rule out Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete infection and is transmitted by tick bite. However most patients do not remember the tick bite. Lyme disease can cause a spectrum of chronic and recurrent symptoms like rashes, joint pain,swelling,tiredness, fatigue, flu like symptoms,muscle pain etc . Treatment is with Antibiotics. Proper treatment will help resolve the symptoms. Confirmation of diagnosis require blood test looking for the presence of infection. I'd recommend that your husband consult a Primary care Provider to discuss this possibility and further management. Hope I was able to answer your question Please address any more concerns Regards, Dr.Lekshmi