Lyme Disease: More Than a Bullseye Rash

Lyme disease, much like the nymphs and adult ticks that transmit the disease, can be tricky and at times hard to identify. When the disease presents with hallmark symptoms, such as the erythema migrans rash with central clearing, diagnosis and treatment are often straightforward. However, especially when practicing in an endemic area, health care providers can be presented with a wide range of clinical presentations and symptoms, which can lead to variable testing and treatment recommendations based on the stage of the disease the patient presents in. Therefore, a thorough understanding of Lyme disease is necessary when managing patients with this complex disease.