Justin Timberlake Opens Up About Lyme Disease – What Should You Know?

Singer Justin Timberlake recently shared that he’s living with Lyme disease. He joins other celebrities—like Avril Lavigne, Bella Hadid, and Shania Twain—who’ve spoken out about their experiences. While it’s helpful when celebrities raise awareness, Lyme disease is becoming more common throughout the United States.

What’s Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. It’s spread through the bite of a black-legged tick (also called a deer tick). These ticks live in grassy, brushy, or wooded areas. They’re tiny—about the size of a poppy seed—and can go unnoticed when they bite. If a tick carries the bacteria and stays on your skin long enough (usually more than 24 hours), it can make you sick.

What’re the symptoms?

Early signs may show up three to 30 days after the bite. You might feel very tired or have a fever, chills, headache, or muscle aches—similar to the flu. One sign to look out for is a red rash that can look like a bullseye. But not everyone gets this rash. If Lyme disease isn’t treated early, it can lead to more serious issues like joint pain, heart rhythm problems, or even trouble with the nerves and brain.

Where’s Lyme disease found?

Lyme disease is most common in the U.S. throughout the Northeast, Midwest, and Pacific Northwest., but cases are spreading. Warmer weather, more time outdoors, and changes in animal habitats all increase the risk of tick bites.

Who’s at risk?

Anyone spending time outside can be bitten by a tick. Kids and people with outdoor jobs are especially at risk. Ticks can latch onto clothing or pets and crawl onto skin without being noticed.

What should you do if you get bitten by a tick?

Use tweezers to grab the tick close to the skin. Pull slowly and steadily. Don’t twist or crush it. Wash the bite area with soap and water. If you save the tick in a sealed bag, your doctor may choose to have it tested.

Watch for symptoms over the next few weeks.

Which doctors treat Lyme disease?

If you feel sick or notice a rash, talk to your primary care doctor. They may do a blood test and prescribe you antibiotics to help get rid of the bacteria and stop it from leading to more serious problems with your joints, heart, or nerves. But if symptoms are more serious or don’t go away, you may be referred to an infectious disease specialist. These doctors are trained to treat bacterial infections like Lyme disease.

They may use longer or stronger treatments if you have a severe case.

How can you prevent Lyme disease?

When outside, wear bug spray and long sleeves. Tuck pants into socks if walking in tall grass. After coming inside, check your skin, scalp, and clothing. Check your pets, too. The faster you remove a tick, the lower your risk of infection.

Lyme disease can be serious, but it’s also treatable, especially when caught early. Knowing the signs, checking for ticks, and talking to a doctor if you’re unsure are the best steps you can take to stay safe.

Image: Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons