Overview

When an infected tick bites you, bacteria travel to the tick's salivary glands and then into your body through your skin. It takes at least 24 hours for a tick to transmit the Lyme disease bacteria.

There are three stages of Lyme disease. If the disease isn't treated, it may progress in stages from mild symptoms to serious, long-term disabilities.

• Stage 1, or early localized Lyme disease, occurs within one month of the tick bite. You may have an expanding, circular red rash (Figure 1) (erythema migrans), and/or flu-like symptoms. Some people do not have symptoms.
• Stage 2, or early disseminated infection, can develop days to weeks after you become infected. If Lyme disease isn't found or treated early, the infection may affect the skin, joints, nervous system, and heart within weeks to months after the initial infection.
• Stage 3, or late persistent Lyme disease, can develop months or years after infection. If the disease hasn't been promptly or effectively treated, you may have damage to the joints, nerves, and brain. It is the last and often the most serious stage of the disease.

Figure 1 - Lyme Disease Rash

One symptom of Lyme disease is a red rash (called erythema migrans). The rash usually starts as a small red area and then expands over several days. The rash occurs at the site of the tick bite and usually gets bigger over time. Sometimes the rash clears in the centre, so that it looks like a bull's eye.

About half the people infected with Lyme disease develop the rash within 4 weeks. The rash usually isn't painful or itchy. It fades within 4 weeks, even without treatment for Lyme disease.

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.