BACK Recognize the Early Symptoms. It is an expanding red, generally circular patch, often with a clearing in the center, giving it a bull's eye appearance. In general, such rashes are more than 2 inches in diameter. In some cases there may be multiple rashes. Treatment at this stage is almost always curative.
Treatment can sometimes vary depending on when the diagnosis is made.
When detected early, typical treatment includes 3-4 weeks of oral antibiotics, such as doxycycline or amoxicillin. If untreated, the early symptoms described above may disappear only to have more serious problems develop later. Untreated complications can include chronic arthritis, heart problems and nervous system disorders. Intravenous treatment is sometimes necessary in late Lyme disease cases. BACK Other Tickborne Illnesses.