A circular skin rash can have a host of possible causes. One cause can be ringworm which forms a rash shaped in a circle. This fungal infection starts out as a small circle and tends to spread outward. The center of the circle may appear pale against the more inflamed skin at the outer edges. Another circular rash may come from a tick bite. Lyme disease is spread by ticks and when it bites human
. skin it transfers the disease into the blood. The first symptom of lyme disease is a bulls-eye rash almost one to two weeks after the tick bite. The rash may turn a purplish hue with the outer edges appearing red. The rash may feel inflamed giving off a burning sensation. Later flu-like symptoms will result with joint aches, stiff neck and fever. See a doctor immediately if a circular rash appears followed by the above symptoms. Other circular rashes come from allergic reactions to poison ivy or poison oak. The green leafed plants hold a liquid that many people are allergic to which causes red bumps and raised rashes to appear on the skin. Not all poison ivy or oak rashes are round, but some are and in bad cases turn into blisters filled with water. The itching from the rash may cause sleeplessness and distraction during the day. Some people get relief from over-the-counter itch medications while others need prescription medicines such as steroids to fight the rash and remove the itch. Insect and bee stings may also leave the skin with a round rash. If the stinger remains in the skin it is normally found in the center of the red rash. The stinger may contain venom that causes the rash. Use tweezers to remove the stinger and wash the area with soap and water, covering it with an antibiotic cream afterwards. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Ringworm.htm or http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_lyme_disease_000016_2.htm
