06/10/2026
Visit our office immediately for removal if you have been or suspect you have been bitten by a tick. A bullseye rash is a common early sign of Lyme disease, caused by the bite of an infected black-legged tick. While not all Lyme disease cases feature this rash, and it can vary in appearance, the bullseye rash is characterized by a circular, expanding red area, often with a central clearing that resembles a target or bullseye. A patient with a tick bite and rash that presents with a bullseye shape will be treated with a 10-14 day prescription of an oral antibiotic, such as doxycycline. A tick bite without the bullseye rash may be given a single dose of doxycycline, which can significantly reduce the risk of Lyme disease. This treatment does not guarantee Lyme disease prevention, as the patient should continue to monitor for symptoms such as the bullseye rash; however, early intervention is important and this treatment may minimize the likelihood of Lyme disease.
