Lyme Rash: Symptoms & Next Steps

Not everyone bitten by an infected tick will have a Lyme rash. These are key Lyme symptoms and next steps.

Lyme Rash and Other Lyme Disease Symptoms

Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bite of infected ticks, often manifests with a distinctive rash called erythema migrans (EM). EM typically appears within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite, although it can sometimes take longer to develop. (It takes seven days on average for that rash to become visible.)

This rash often begins as a small, red bump resembling a mosquito bite and gradually expands over several days to form a circular or oval-shaped rash. The center of the rash may clear, resulting in a bull’s-eye appearance, though this is not always present.

Lyme rash is usually not painful or itchy but may feel warm to the touch. It can vary in size from a few inches to over 12 inches in diameter. In some cases, multiple rashes may appear. While EM most commonly occurs at the site of the tick bite, it can also develop in other areas of the body.

The latency period, signs, and symptoms associated with Lyme disease can vary greatly from person to person. In addition, some people may exhibit other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

Again, an important thing to remember is that not all bites by infected ticks result in a Lyme rash. Therefore, anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to ticks and experiences symptoms should seek medical evaluation promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What Happens When Lyme Disease Isn’t Treated

Identifying the Lyme rash is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. It’s important to note that not all people with Lyme disease will develop this characteristic rash. Estimates suggest that approximately 70-80% of people infected with Lyme disease develop this rash.

When Lyme disease is left untreated, it can lead to severe complications affecting various body systems. If the infection spreads beyond the initial site of the tick bite, it can cause disseminated Lyme disease, resulting in symptoms such as arthritis, neurological problems (like meningitis or facial paralysis), and cardiac issues (such as heart palpitations or inflammation).

Chronic Lyme disease, characterized by persistent symptoms lasting beyond standard antibiotic treatment, can also occur. Without timely intervention, these complications can have significant long-term effects on health.

When Lyme disease is left untreated, it could have a significant impact on essential body organs or systems that include the heart, joints, and nervous system.

Herbal Support for Lyme Disease

Linden Botanicals owner Michael Van der Linden suffered from Lyme disease for almost four years. He experienced many Lyme disease symptoms, including Lyme rash, joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog.

Phyllanthus niruri, also called Chanca Piedra, has been used around the world to provide support for kidney stones and a variety of chronic illnesses. It has significant antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-plasmodial properties. Research suggests that Phyllanthus niruri may be able to block the Lyme disease spirochete from replicating. It may interfere with the outer surface proteins that are integral to the ability of Borrelia burgdorferi to evade the immune system.

Michael read hundreds of articles about Phyllanthus niruri and drank the herbal tea to support his immune system health. The four years Michael suffered with Lyme disease posed serious physical, emotional, social, and financial challenges for him. Once he was free of Lyme disease, he started Linden Botanicals as a passion project. The company’s very first product was Phyllanthus niruri looseleaf herbal tea.

Later, Linden Botanicals curated two other herbal supplements that can provide exceptional support for long term Lyme disease symptoms: Cryptolepis sanguinolenta and Cistus incanus. Cryptolepis provides immune support against a wide range of health concerns, including Lyme disease, malaria, and bacterial and yeast infections. Cistus incanus offers significant immune support, dissolves biofilm, and supports mitochondrial health.

Herbal Support for Lyme Symptoms (With or Without a Lyme Rash)

Remember, not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop a bull’s-eye Lyme rash. While the bull’s-eye rash is a characteristic symptom of Lyme disease, it only occurs in a subset of cases.

Furthermore, the appearance of the rash can vary widely. It may not always have the classic bull’s-eye appearance and can sometimes resemble a solid red rash without the central clearing. In some cases, multiple smaller rashes may appear rather than a single large one.

In addition, some individuals with Lyme disease may never develop a rash at all. Therefore, the absence of a bull’s-eye rash does not necessarily rule out Lyme disease, and other symptoms such as fever, fatigue, joint pain, and muscle aches should also be considered when evaluating for the disease. When no Lyme rash appears, it can be hard to diagnose Lyme disease, and the disease can go untreated for a long time.

Whether or not you have a bull’s-eye rash, Phyllanthus niruri, Cryptolepis, and Cistus incanus can function as broad synergistic support for your health and wellness goals.

Phyllanthus niruri is the great “unmasker” known for helping to alert the immune system to the hiding pathogen. Cistus incanus can help with the removal of biofilms and support mitochondrial health. Cryptolepis has the distinction of being the only herbal with reported activity against all forms of the bacteria that is at the root of Lyme disease.

Both Phyllanthus niruri and Cryptolepis support a healthy microbiome. Phyllanthus niruri supports the immune system adaptogenically. It can help quell an overactive system, as well as activate a system that has been turned off by a pathogen. Together, Phyllanthus niruri and Cistus incanus can support the liver and kidneys while the body “detoxes” during the elimination of the pathogen.

Try Persister Desister

Linden Botanicals sells Phyllanthus niruri, Cistus incanus, Cryptolepis as individual herbal supplements. We also sell Phyllanthus niruri and Cistus incanus as looseleaf herbal teas. We sell all three together in our proprietary Persister Desister Lyme Support Kits.

The Lyme disease epidemic is real, as are the Lyme disease long term symptoms many people experience. Persister Desister Kits are designed to help address Lyme disease long-term symptoms — regardless whether a Lyme rash ever appeared.

The three herbal supplements in Persister Desister Kits can inhibit the lifecycle of persister bacteria, protect against free radical damage, and support kidney, liver, and mitochondrial health. This advanced immune support formula is designed to reengage your body’s natural defenses against persisting pathogens, inhibit the lifecycle of persister bacteria, and protect against free radical damage.

These three herbal supplements have the potential to help the immune system get back on track. They may be able to help your immune system function optimally and “unmask” an agent that is hiding from your natural defenses. Working together with your body, the supplements in Persister Desister can disrupt a pathogen’s ability to hide in biofilms, interrupt the communication between pathogens, and degrade their ability to replicate.

Persister Desister Kits contain individual packets of the three supplements, so you can choose to take them together or individually.

For more information, check out the Persister Desister FAQ and Lyme Disease Resources on our site. The Lessons from the Darkness e-book chronicles Michael Van der Linden’s four-year battle with Lyme disease.