My daughter woke up with this strange red ring on her arm. It’s not itchy but looks spreading. I’m panicking, do I need to rush her in?

During an examination, a doctor will assess the rash’s appearance, size, and location. They will also inquire about any accompanying symptoms and recent activities that could suggest exposure to ticks.

The doctor may perform a physical exam and possibly recommend tests to rule out other conditions. They will also consider the likelihood of Lyme disease based on regional tick activity and the time of year.

Blood tests for Lyme disease are generally not recommended immediately after noticing a rash, as it takes several weeks for antibodies to develop and be detectable. Instead, diagnosis is often based on clinical evaluation and the characteristic appearance of the rash.

If Lyme disease is suspected, treatment may begin based on clinical signs alone, especially if there are additional symptoms like flu-like feelings or recent tick exposure.