In
dermatology, a target lesion or bull's-eye lesion, named for its resemblance to the
bull's-eye of a
shooting target, is a
rash with central clearing. It occurs in several diseases, as follows:
Target lesions are the typical lesions of
erythema multiforme, in which a vesicle is surrounded by an often hemorrhagic maculopapule. Erythema multiforme is often self-limited, of acute onset, resolves in three to six weeks, and has a cyclical pattern. Its lesions are multiform (polymorphous) and include
macules,
papules,
vesicles, and
bullae.
Target lesions are also typical of
Lyme disease. In the context of Lyme disease, the target lesion is synonymous with
erythema migrans (erythema chronicum migrans), although not everyone who gets Lyme disease will have a target-shaped rash, and some will have no rash at all.