The first indication you may have Lyme disease probably won’t be the bug bite.
Lyme disease is transmitted by tiny ticks. They’re so small, you probably wouldn’t even feel their bite.
If the tick transmitted Lyme disease, however, you may start to feel like you have the flu. You might even notice a bullseye-shaped rash on your skin.
If you see a tick attached to your skin, don’t panic. Get a pair of tweezers and remove it.
Then, watch for symptoms of illness.
The most well-known symptom of Lyme disease is the rash, which starts to develop between 3 to 30 days after a tick bite. Between 70-80 percent of people infected with Lyme disease develop a rash, which can grow to reach up to 12 inches.
The rashes aren’t usually painful or itchy, but the rash area might feel warm.
If there is no rash, symptoms like fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may show up.
It’s important to seek medical attention if you notice this rash or symptoms. If Lyme disease isn’t treated, the symptoms can progress to the point of:
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- More rashes on other parts of the body
- Severe joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees and other large joints
- A loss of muscle tone or a droop on one or both sides of the face
- Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints and bones
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness or feeling shortness of breath
- Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
- Nerve pain
- Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
- Problems with short-term memory
People with Lyme disease are often treated with antibiotics, which completely clears up the disease in most cases. If you suspect you may have contracted Lyme disease, see your doctor as soon as possible to begin treatment
Related Articles
