Which bite is associated with a target lesion after a pinprick sensation with induration, erythema, and blistering?

Which bite is associated with a target lesion after a pinprick sensation with induration, erythema, and blistering?

• A. Brown recluse bite
• B. Black widow bite
• C. Tick bite
• D. Mosquito bite

Answer: (B)

Target lesions at a bite site point to erythema migrans from a tick bite, which is the hallmark rash of early Lyme disease. This rash usually starts as a small red area that expands over days to weeks, often with central clearing that creates a bull’s-eye appearance. Blistering can occur in some cases, and the history of a recent tick exposure fits well. Other bites don’t typically produce this bull’s-eye pattern: brown recluse bites tend to lead to necrotic ulcers rather than a circular expanding rash; black widow bites produce severe systemic symptoms with painful local bites but not a classic target lesion; mosquito bites are small, itchy welts. So the association with a target lesion is the tick bite.

Target lesions at a bite site point to erythema migrans from a tick bite, which is the hallmark rash of early Lyme disease. This rash usually starts as a small red area that expands over days to weeks, often with central clearing that creates a bull’s-eye appearance. Blistering can occur in some cases, and the history of a recent tick exposure fits well. Other bites don’t typically produce this bull’s-eye pattern: brown recluse bites tend to lead to necrotic ulcers rather than a circular expanding rash; black widow bites produce severe systemic symptoms with painful local bites but not a classic target lesion; mosquito bites are small, itchy welts. So the association with a target lesion is the tick bite.