5 Signs of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a serious tick-borne illness that is prevalent throughout the United States. It can cause serious and lasting complications, so it is important to be treated for it if you feel that you may have it. If you find a tick and remove it, you can take the tick to the doctor to be tested for Lyme disease. Sometimes you may not find the tick at all, and so it is important to be aware of the symptoms of Lyme disease.

1. Bull’s-Eye Rash

The most distinctive symptom of Lyme disease is the unique rash that appears a few days after being bitten. It has the distinct bull’s-eye pattern that can appear anywhere on the body. It forms within a few days or weeks of being bitten. It can grow to be quite large. However, the rash does not appear in about 25% of the cases of Lyme disease, so it is important to be aware of the other symptoms.

2. Fever and Chills

At the onset you may develop fever, and chills. Other early symptoms include a headache as well as being very tired. You may also have muscle and joint aches. These symptoms are like other tick related diseases, and it is a good idea to visit your doctor if you develop them after being bitten by a tick.

3. Severe Headaches and Neck Stiffness

If you do not receive treatment right away, the symptoms will continue to get worse. Your headaches may become severe and you may have neck stiffness. These symptoms may accompany inflammation of the brain and spinal cord and you should seek medical attention if this happens.

4. Arthritis

Untreated Lyme disease can lead to arthritis in the larger joints that was not present before the tick bite. The arthritis can be so severe that your knees and other large joints swell up and make it difficult to move around.

5. General Intermittent Pain

Lyme disease can be debilitating because of the intermittent pain that it causes in your joints, tendons, muscle and bones. This pain can make it difficult to accomplish things. The longer you wait to seek treatment the more difficult it can be to clear up these symptoms.