Getting a tick bite can be incredibly nerve-wracking, bringing up thoughts of Lyme disease and other potential tick-borne infections. What’s even scarier is starting to display symptoms after said tick bite.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with tick bites include aches and pains, fever and chills, and occasionally…rashes. These tick bite rashes are typically caused by one of three possible infections – southern tick-associated rash illness, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, or Lyme disease. Bartonella is also known to be associated with tick bite rashes – namely Cat Scratch Disease (CSD).
Although they are all a type of rash, these different illnesses cause distinct rashes. Identifying what specific rash from a tick bite someone is experiencing may help with early detection. Let’s look at the differences between STARI rash vs. Lyme rash vs. RMSF.
STARI Rash
STARI rash, also known as southern tick-associated rash illness, is a rash from a tick known as Amblyomma americanum, or the Lone Star Tick. These ticks are commonly found in Central Texas and Oklahoma through the south-eastern U.S. and up the eastern coast.
The lone star tick bites people during all three life stages, and a white dot on their backs can distinguish the females. Hence the name “lone star.”
Where Did STARI Come From?
The cause of STARI is not yet known. It was once believed that the spirochete Borrelia lonestari caused this rash, but current research does not support this idea.
The STARI rash usually appears within seven days of a tick bite. This rash is usually 8 centimeters or more and creates a bull’s-eye-shaped lesion around the tick bite site. People with a STARI rash may also experience muscle pains, headaches, fever, and fatigue.
Lyme Rash
People infected with Lyme don’t always get a rash, but about 33% of those infected display what’s called an “erythema migrans rash.” This rash starts at the site of a tick bite, usually appearing 3-30 days after the bite.
As it gets bigger, the rash can reach up to 30 cm (12 in) across, creating a bull’s eye pattern as it clears and enlarges. This tick bite rash may appear on any area of the body and doesn’t always resemble the classic erythema migrans rash.
But how do you tell the difference between STARI rash vs. Lyme rash? Although they are very similar, the STARI rash tends to be more circular, less uniform in pattern and color, smaller, and less tender than erythema migrans.
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Rash
Lyme disease and STARI aren’t the only tick-borne infections that can cause a rash. For example, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) causes some type of rash in about 90% of infected people. Although less than 50% of people display a rash during the first three days post-infection, sometimes making diagnosis difficult.
A typical early RMSF rash involves small, pink, flat lesions on the ankles, forearms, wrists, and occasionally on the soles of feet and the palms of the hands. In severe cases, a petechial rash may develop around days 5-6 of the illness. This rash is more widespread with red to purple spots. Those infected should take all possible steps to prevent the progression of the disease from reaching this stage.
RMSF can cause serious long-term side effects and is potentially fatal, and it’s vital to know other potential symptoms, including nausea and vomiting, a loss of appetite, and headache.
Protecting Yourself From Tick Bites
Being able to distinguish between these different tick bite rashes can help you get a proper diagnosis and treatment. In addition, most tick-borne infections can be treated with antibiotics when caught early on, so it’s crucial to be proactive about noting different symptoms and communicating them with your healthcare provider.
Medical providers aren’t sure if antibiotics are a proper course of treatment for people with STARI. Still, patients will often be treated with them anyway because of STARI’s similarity to Lyme disease.
While they’re sometimes unavoidable, you can help prevent tick bites from happening in the first place by taking these precautions in areas where they’re common:
- Tie up long hair to avoid a tick clinging on
- Cover arms and legs
- Wear pants tucked into long socks
- Use bug spray containing DEET or lemon-eucalyptus oil to deter ticks
- Thoroughly check yourself, your children, and your pets after being in tick habitats
If you notice that you’ve been bit by a tick or are displaying symptoms of a possible tick bite, including a tick bite rash, you must seek out testing for tick-borne infections ASAP with services like those offered through IGeneX. It’s also important to know how to properly remove a tick, and save it for testing if possible.