Is this lyme disease rash?

I don't have any symptoms (fever, headache etc), but 5 days ago I noticed a rash on my thigh. Initially was size of a dime, but it's much bigger now and it's very itchy. I went hiking 20 days ago, but I haven't noticed any ticks or tick bites. Please check the images below.
Thank you.

http://imgur.com/yZBtXBy
http://imgur.com/8lsH8Bf

I'm no doctor, nor am i professional of any sort...but that first picture looks very much like erythemia migrans (bulls eye)... If it was mine..i'd be trying to get on abx as soon as humanely possible. Others should chime in.

Hi Allex, Welcome to our community.

I agree, that could be a bulls eye rash, and considering you were hiking...I think you should see a Dr. and see if you can get a course of doxycycline.

Thank you for your advices.
I was hoping for better news... I've done some research and it didn't look like textbook EM Lyme rash, but close enough to catch my attention. It appears that the consensus is the fact that is very likely to be EM Lyme rash (the first picture was without flash, second with flash)

My next steps:
I scheduled an appointment with my primary doctor.
I also intend to take claritine (in case is some allergy reaction; it's really itchy)

Do you think I should get a Igenex test, or it would be a waste of time at this point?

I'm worried that my doctor might not be very knowledgeable about lyme disease and might not approve to a course of doxycycline.
Can anybody recommend a LLMD in NYC?
I found one, but the doctor was booked until November!!!

Thank you!

I went into urgent care when i had the rash...diagnosed/prescribed within 15 mins and out the door. I would think NY doctors wouldn't mess around since its so prevalent in the NE (I'm in Wisconsin). Your call...i have really crappy insurance and hate doctors, but i still went in...not a disease to mess around with.

Mine was very itchy. Normal docs will go from 10 to 21 days of doxy...maybe even a month.

I really have no idea what is long enough. Some people are fine after 10 days... If you read the google scholar/pub med stuff...you'll see doxy usually works very well on lyme when treated early.

I had flu like symptoms when my rash started expanding.

Hi Allex,
No, that's not a high enough dose to do anything. It takes 200 mgs a day just to keep the bacteria from replicating - 400 - 600 mgs a day to kill the bacteria. But, it might buy you some time to get to a LLMD or to start an herbal protocol.

That's not Lyme paranoia - that rash is something else now!! Keep on taking pictures of it - it will come in very handy when you do get in to see a LLMD!

If you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more.​


For information on finding a​n ILADS ​(International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society)​ trained​ Lyme Literate Medical Doctor(LLMD) in your area, you can send me an email by clicking on my screen name or the small blue envelope under my screen name. I may have contact information for some LLMD's in your area as well.​ ​Please include your state and area that you would like to find a LLMD in and I will see how close I can get to your location.​


You can start a new thread titled something like "Looking for LLMD in the (insert the nearest larger city & state) area". Members can email you about the LLMD's that they see in that area if you have your email enabled. We don't allow doctors names to be posted though.


You can also email the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance at​[​​url]​[email protected]​ for LLMD referrals and you can go to ​tbdalliance.org​​ to learn more about these infections.


You can also go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link:
www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74​​


​ You will want to find an ILADS (International Lyme And Associated Diseases Society) trained doctor, as ID Docs (Infectious Disease Doctors) believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme. Go to the ILADS site to read the new (2014) Treatment guidelines to get you started on your healing journey:
http://www.ilads.org/lyme/treatment-guideline.php


There is no way to know when the rash will go away, but like I said, please continue to document it by taking those pictures daily.

Symptoms of the infections can set in at any time, so don't be dismayed at not having symptoms yet - that rash is a pretty spectacular symptom by itself!!

The problem with increasing your dosage, is what are you going to do once it runs out? Do you have somewhere you can get more? Even if you can, long term use of Doxy makes these bacteria (Lyme) go into a cyst type form where nothing can harm them. So you have to have a plan B here.

Either you have to get in to see a LLMD or choose to use herbal at home protocols - both can be highly effective.

The Buhner protocol is one that many people on the forum use.

Here's the link to the website:

buhnerhealinglyme.com/

On the left hand side, he has his protocol for lyme.

You can order from Green Dragon Botanicals - if you want capsules....
If you prefer tinctures - Woodland Essence or Sage Woman Herbs.

Those are the three sources I get mine from.

I think there are a few more sources that Buhner recommends.

Thanks for your help.
Do you think I need to see a LLMD? They are extremely expensive in NYC and I don't see how can they help in my current situation. On Friday I will finish my 3 weeks antibiotics treatment and I have no symptoms other than the aforementioned rash (which has healed in the meantime)
I'm considering trying samento and banderol, but it might be an overkill.
I really don't know what to do next...

Hi allex - I agree with Trav - you didn't get enough treatment to ensure that it's gone for good.

This is what Dr. Burrascano (ILADS board member) guidelines state:

For early localised - simple erytherma migrans (rash) with no constitutional symptoms:
Adults - Continue to treat until symptom/sign free for at least one month. 6 weeks minimum

Not only did you not treat long enough, but unless you got more doxy, the 100 mg daily wasn't high enough dose.

The best thing for you to ensure you don't develop chronic lyme, is to see a LLMD and continue to treat.

Allex - Even with the extra antibiotics - you still are only treating for 3 weeks, correct?

Sorry, but you need to continue.

You can use Buhner's herbs for treatment.

But you should order the recommended brands - I get mine from three places:

Green Dragon Botanicals - for capsules
Woodland Essence and Sage Woman Herbs - for tinctures

Since you're in the U.S., you may be able to expedite the shipment and get them there in a few days.

Buhner's website on the home page left hand side has the protocol for Lyme.

buhnerhealinglyme.com/

Thank you Girlie & Traveler

Do you think two months of herbal treatment will suffice?

Girlie, in your opinion Buhner's is better than Cowden, right?