Justin Timberlake Diagnosed With Lyme Disease: What You Should Know

US singer Justin Timberlake has disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease. The 44-year-old explained that while the news left him “shocked,” it also clarified why he “would be on stage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness.”

Timberlake opened up about his condition on Instagram after completing his Forget Tomorrow world tour.

He admitted that at one point he considered ending the tour early but ultimately chose to carry on. Writing on Instagram on Thursday, he said: “As many of you know, I’m a pretty private person. But as I’m reflecting on the tour and festival tour, I want to tell you a little bit about what’s going on with me.

“Among other things, I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I don’t say so you feel bad for me but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes.

”If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has – then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically.”

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by borrelia bacteria, most often transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick.
Ticks capable of carrying borrelia are found across much of the United States.

However, Lyme disease occurs most frequently in the upper Midwest, as well as the northeastern and mid-Atlantic regions. The illness is also prevalent in parts of Europe, along with south-central and southeastern Canada.

Symptoms Of Lyme Disease

A tick bite may appear as a small, itchy bump on the skin, similar to a mosquito bite. This alone does not mean you have contracted a tick-borne illness, and in fact, many people never realize they’ve been bitten by a tick.
Early symptoms of Lyme disease may include:

• A reddish rash or skin lesion called erythema migrans (EM)
• Fever
• Headache
• Stiff neck
• General body and joint pain
• Fatigue
• Swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands)
  
  Signs and symptoms of the second stage of Lyme disease, also known as the early disseminated stage, may include:
• Multiple rashes on different areas of the body
• Facial muscle paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
• Heart block, or a disruption in the heart’s electrical system
• Numbness or unusual sensations (neuropathy)
  
  If left untreated, late-stage Lyme disease can develop months to a year after infection, with symptoms such as:
• Repeated swelling of large joints, especially the knee (arthritis)
• Difficulty concentrating, often described as “brain fog,” which is a form of encephalopathy or brain damage
• Widespread nerve damage affecting the skin, muscles, and organs (polyneuropathy)

What Are The Causes Of Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by borrelia bacteria, which are primarily carried by the black-legged tick, also commonly known as the deer tick.

These ticks are responsible for transmitting the bacteria and are referred to by several names, including the castor bean tick, sheep tick, and deer tick.

How Is Lyme Disease Treated?

Antibiotics are most commonly doxycycline or amoxicillin are effective in treating Lyme disease. The length of treatment depends on the stage of the infection, but generally, the earlier treatment begins, the faster and more complete the recovery.

Pregnant women should also be treated for Lyme disease. However, there is no evidence to suggest that the infection can be passed from mother to fetus, nor is there strong evidence that Lyme disease increases the risk of miscarriage.

How To Prevent Lyme Disease

To lower your chances of being bitten:

• Cover your skin when walking outdoors and tuck your trousers into your socks
• Apply insect repellent to both your skin and clothing – products with DEET work best
• Stay on designated paths whenever possible
• Wear light-coloured clothing, making it easier to spot and remove ticks

See your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms of Lyme disease. Early diagnosis and the right treatment can greatly improve outcomes. If you know you’ve been bitten by a tick or have been in areas where ticks are common, monitor yourself closely for symptoms, and consult your healthcare provider immediately if they appear.