Tick bite - Bite site still slightly altered after antibiotics
July 17, 2017 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg
Hello,
I have just finished a course of antibiotics (14 days at 200mg Doxy) for acute Lyme borreliosis (according to antibodies). The large, bright red spot at the bite site was the indicator. It has now faded and only the center is very lightly red or slightly darker than normal. I have a follow-up appointment for a blood test in 3 months.
Should I contact my GP beforehand about the remaining discoloration at the bite site? Is it true that the redness will disappear regardless of the treatment?
Thank you in advance!
Good evening,
Regarding question 1, you only need to observe the remaining discoloration and do not need to make an extra appointment with your primary care physician. A follow-up appointment in 3 months should be sufficient. By then, the bite mark should be completely healed and the discoloration should have disappeared. Sometimes, a slight dark discoloration may persist in the long term, but this is insignificant.
Regarding question 2, it is true that the redness may disappear within a few weeks even without treatment. However, this does not necessarily mean that the Lyme disease is cured. If the immune system does not produce sufficient antibodies quickly enough, the pathogen can settle in the joints and cause pseudo-rheumatic symptoms. (Stage II begins several months after the tick bite). If it continues to multiply without treatment, it can even progress to Stage III, affecting the central nervous system and causing neurological deficits. However, a rapid fading of the rash under antibiotic treatment indicates a positive response to therapy.
Serological tests, on the other hand, should only be evaluated for accuracy after several months. In my opinion, your treating physician is doing everything correctly.
Best regards and have a great evening, Dr. R. Berg
