Everything You Don't Want To...But Need To Know About Lyme Disease

Today's post from bustle.com (see link below) returns to the topic of Tics and the Lyme disease they can carry. It's such a sneaky disease because it often takes a while after you're bitten for it to show up but if you've got nerve damage from Lyme disease you certainly know about it. The problem is, the doctor has possibly pointed to any number of the other 100 possible causes of neuropathy of being the actual cause and only at the end of a long series of investigations, do you remember...' oh yes, I was bitten by a tic last Summer' and even then a diagnosis is really hard to prove. Nerve damage is of course, only one of the possible outcomes of Lyme disease and this article very helpfully goes through another 8 possibilities. As I said, a sneaky, nasty disease, caused by not the most appealing of insects. Other articles about how to avoid it and what to do about the tics themselves, can be found by using the Search button here on the blog. Worth a read and maybe tucking your trousers into your socks the next time you go for a wander through nature!

9 Symptoms Of Lyme Disease Not Everyone Thinks To Look For
ByCarolyn de Lorenzoa day ago
 
     Andrew Zaeh for Bustle


If you’ve ever seen a tick — especially if you’ve seen one feed on a dog or a human — then you know what gross, creepy little creatures they are. Unfortunately, they also transmit some potentially serious illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), tick-borne Lyme disease is passed to humans via bites by infected ticks, and the result can be a range of sometimes mystifying symptoms that may last for years. But surprisingly, we can get bitten by a tick and not even know it, and if we live in areas prone to tick infestations, we owe it to ourselves to be extra mindful to avoid tick bites. If we do end up on the receiving end of a tick bite, there are some subtle signs of Lyme disease to watch out for.

The CDC reports that untreated Lyme disease can cause slew of health problems over time. If you think you’ve been bitten by a tick, you should definitely see your doctor, stat. And if you can, bring the critter with you when you make your appointment, so that your provider can have the tick tested for Lyme infection. Healthline notes that the symptoms of Lyme disease mimic those of other illnesses, so sometimes it’s difficult to diagnose. Lyme awareness is key to prevention — here are some signs of Lyme disease you should know.

1 Rashes
 
petzshadow/Fotolia


Healthline reports that Lyme-carrying ticks leave a distinctive red bull's-eye shaped rash, which can show up anywhere on your body that's been exposed to tick bites. The bull's eye rash leaves the skin flat — not raised — and it appears in up to 80 percent of people when first infected with Lyme. And weirdly, it usually doesn't itch. The rash disappears after a while, but if left untreated, the infection continues to spread inside the body. However, some people who are infected with Lyme Disease may have a non-bull's-eye-shaped rash, or no rash at all (or no visible rash). Tick-induced rashes can appear up to 30 days after a tick bite, Healthline further reports, and can also show up as red blotches, bumps, or blisters.

2 Flu-like Symptoms

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According to the CDC, swollen lymph nodes, fevers, headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches are common signs of early Lyme infection that can be easy to miss. You might think you're fighting off a summer cold or flu, but if you've been potentially exposed to tick bites before the onset of your symptoms, it's important to get checked out by a health care provider.

3 Fatigue
 
Andrew Zaeh for Bustle


These days, it seems that the potential causes of fatigue are virtually endless. But, it's important to note that fatigue is a major early sign of Lyme disease, and it can also linger on if Lyme is left untreated. According to the Mayo Clinic, severe fatigue is a less-common sign of Lyme disease, and it may not show up until several weeks after initial exposure to Lyme infection. Still, if you've got a bout of fatigue that you just can't shake, it's probably not a bad idea to check in with your doctor.

4 Major Headaches & A Stiff Neck


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The CDC states that intense headaches coupled with a stiff neck are sometimes a sign of Lyme disease, and can appear anywhere from days to months after a bite by a Lyme-infected tick.

5 Painful, Swollen Joints
 
Andrew Zaeh for Bustle


Healthline notes that up to 80 percent of those infected with Lyme disease may experience painful, swollen joints, while on-again off-again episodes of arthritis can also be a sign of Lyme infection, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

6 Night Sweats & Sleep Problems

RT PAHealthDept "Even if you don’t remember being bitten by a tick, an unexpected fever or odd rash may be the first signs of #LymeDisease, especially if you’ve been in tick habitat. CDCgov recommends seeing your healthcare provider if you have symptoms. "





Healthline further reports that if you wake up drenched at night — like drenched in sweat — that could be a sign of Lyme disease. Healthline also notes that about 41 percent of those infected with Lyme report sleep problems, while over 60 percent experience night sweats and chills.

7 Neurological Symptoms
 
Andrew Zaeh for Bustle


Some folks infected with Lyme go on to develop neurological issues like numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, inflammation in the brain (meningitis), or paralysis in the face (Bell's palsy), according to the Mayo Clinic. The CDC also reports that signs of Lyme can include shooting pains or tingling in the arms or feet, and overall nerve pain.

8 Heart Palpitations Or Irregular Heartbeat
 
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The CDC reports that when Lyme infection enters the tissues of the heart, it can cause cardiac symptoms called Lyme carditis. Basically, Lyme-causing bacteria start messing with the heart's electrical signals, and can lead to irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

9 Difficulty Concentrating
 
Hannah Burton/Bustle


Healthline notes that folks with Lyme disease can often experience problems concentrating at school or work. With the later stages Lyme infection, up to 81 percent of folks have memory loss and impaired mental focus.


Since the symptoms of Lyme disease can so often look like other illnesses, it's important to be mindful of the risks — especially if you live in an area where ticks are common. Make sure to cover up as much as possible when in heavily wooded and grassy areas, and always do a full body check once you've come back inside — while making sure to scan your pup for ticks, too. If you do catch a tick on your body, remove it as quickly as possible with tweezers. Early Lyme infection can respond well to antibiotic treatments, according to the CDC, so, if you do end up with a bite or a suspected bite, check in with your doctor as soon as you can.

https://www.bustle.com/p/9-symptoms-of-lyme-disease-not-everyone-thinks-to-look-for-10614019