Episode 5 of Racial Bias in Medicine: Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by deer ticks. It typically causes a rash, often described as a "bulls-eye pattern," flu-like symptoms, joint pain, and weakness. But unfortunately in medical school, characteristic rashes like the "bulls-eye rash" often are shown on lighter skin, not darker skin, even though the presentation can vary. Try this: If search on Google "Lyme Disease Rash" the hundreds of initial results will all be images of lighter skin tones. Due to under recognition of what Lyme Disease looks like on darker skin, Black patients are 10% more likely to show late manifestations of Lyme Disease like neurologic and heart problems. How can medical professionals accurately diagnose these types of pathologies if we don't learn how it looks on different skin tones? Many schools are making a concerted effort to increase the diversity found within dermatology textbooks. #racialbias #dermatology #blm #disparities #healthequity #racialbiasinmedicine #joelbervell #medicine #premed #lymedisease #representationmatters