Pattern 01
Central clearing
An expanding circular or oval area may become lighter toward the center.
Rash diversity guide
A Lyme rash is not always a bull’s-eye.
Erythema migrans can have different shapes, colors and centers—and may look different across skin tones. These diagrams teach variation; they do not diagnose a rash.
An expanding rash after possible tick exposure should be evaluated promptly by a qualified health care professional. Early blood tests can be negative.
Pattern 02
No central clearing
An expanding area can remain more evenly colored rather than forming a ring.
Pattern 03
Blue-purple hue
Color can look dusky, red-blue or purple rather than bright red.
Pattern 04
Central crust or nodule
Some documented lesions have a crusted or raised center.
Look beyond the target
Useful details to tell a clinician
- Whether the area has expanded over several days
- When it first appeared relative to a possible bite or outdoor exposure
- Whether there is one lesion or more than one
- Whether it is warm, itchy, painful, crusted or changing color
See real clinical photographs