Acrodermatitis Chronica Atroficans

Acrodermatitis Chronica Atroficans is a chronic skin condition that can occur at a later stage of Lyme disease. The condition can result from a tick bite.

Lyme disease can cause skin disorders, of which erythema migrans is the most well-known. This red circular spot can appear a few days to months after a tick bite and forms around the site of the bite. The erythema migrans is characterized by a large red ring on the skin, which is paler in the center. When erythema migrans develops, Lyme disease is usually still in the first stage.

In a later stage, multiple symptoms can occur, which are even more painful. For example, pain in the bones may occur weeks or months later. Also, tendencies to faint and heart rhythm disturbances are complaints that occur at a later stage.

Acrodermatitis Chronica Atroficans

If Lyme disease has become chronic, months to years after infection, patients may experience severe skin conditions. This is called Acrodermatitis Chronica Atroficans. This skin condition begins with a purplish-red swollen spot on one of the limbs, usually on the foot or hand. Although the skin lesion often progresses around the ankle, it can also happen that the entire leg swells or discolors. Subsequently, spots develop on the body where the skin becomes very thin. This is accompanied by pigmentation, wrinkling, and redness.