What Is Lyme Disease?

Ticks that could carry the bacteria live across most of the US. However, Lyme disease is most found in the upper Midwest, the northeastern and mid-Atlantic areas. It’s also prevalent in Europe and in southeastern and south-central Canada.

You are most vulnerable to Lyme disease when you frequent areas in which the ticks live, like brushy, grassy, or wooded locations. Taking safety precautions in these areas can decrease the vulnerability of Lyme disease.

Symptoms

Tick bites might resemble small, itchy protrusion on your skin, similar to mosquito bites. This does not mean you have a tick-transported illness. A lot of people are not going to notice they have had a tick bite.

The symptoms of the disease differ. They typically show up in stages. But the stages can converge. And many people don’t have symptoms of the usual early stage.

Stage 1

Initial symptoms of Lyme disease typically happen within three to thirty days following a tick bite. This stage has a confined number of symptoms. This is known as early localized disease.

A rash is a typical sign of Lyme disease. But it doesn’t necessarily happen. The rash is typically a single circle that gradually spreads from the site of the bite. It might become clear in the center and look like a bull’s-eye or target. The rash usually feels warm to the touch, however, it’s not typically painful or itchy.

Other stage 1 symptoms include:

• Headache
• Joint stiffness
• Muscle aches and pains
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Fever
• Extreme tiredness

Stage 2

Left untreated, Lyme disease can get worse over time.  The symptoms usually show up within three to ten weeks following a tick bite. Stage 2 is usually more severe and extensive. It is known as an early disseminated disease.

Stage 2 might also include the stage 1 symptoms and the following:

Muscle debility on one or both sides of the face.

Numbness, pain, or debility in the feet or hands.

Painful inflammation in tissues of the eye or eyelid.

Pain that begins from the back and hips, then spreads to the legs.

A lot of rashes on other areas of the body.

Immune-system activity in heart tissue causing unusual heartbeats.

Neck stiffness or pain.

Immune-system activity in eye nerves causing pain or loss of vision.

Stage 3

In the third stage, there might be other symptoms, in addition to symptoms from the initial stages. This stage is known as late disseminated disease.

In the US, the most common disorder of this stage is arthritis in larger joints, specifically the knees. Pain, stiffness, or inflammation may last for long periods. Or the symptoms could come and go. Stage 3 symptoms usually begin two to twelve months following a bite.

When To Go to A Doctor

A lot of people that get Lyme disease don’t remember getting bitten. And a lot of symptoms of Lyme disease can be associated to other conditions. Go to your doctor or your health care provider if you are symptomatic of Lyme disease. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can improve the outcome.

If you know you have been bitten or may have been around tick-like environment, look out for symptoms. If they do show up, see your doctor or health care provider as soon as you can.