Justin Timberlake Introduced He Has Lyme Illness — This is What To Know About It.

Singer Justin Timberlake introduced on Instagram that he’s been identified with Lyme Illness, in response to earlier HuffPost reporting.

Timberlake appeared to share the information in response to criticism of his latest tour the place followers observed him not singing whereas on stage. Timberlake mentioned that, due to his Lyme Illness prognosis, he skilled nerve ache, illness and fatigue whereas on stage, and these signs are hallmark indicators of the illness.

Beneath, infectious illness consultants share the commonest early signs of Lyme illness, what occurs when it advances, and learn how to keep away from getting it within the first place.

Lyme illness is unfold by ticks, particularly deer ticks within the northeast and midwest and western black-legged ticks in California. It spreads to people (and pets) via the chunk of an contaminated tick.

Ticks are most energetic from April via September. And whereas nobody desires a bug chunk, ticks are considerably extra threatening than most.

These poppy-to-sesame-seed-sized bugs are liable for the unfold of Lyme illness, significantly within the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and higher Midwest.

Lyme illness is the most typical vector-borne illness in the US ― in different phrases, it’s the commonest human sickness attributable to a biting arachnid that spreads a parasite.

There are particular early warning indicators of Lyme illness that it’s best to take severely, mentioned each Dr. Tammy Lundstrom, an infectious illness specialist at Trinity Health in Michigan, and Dr. Sarah Park, an infectious illness clinician who works on the life sciences firm Karius in Honolulu.

When caught early, the illness will be handled. Listed here are the indicators early indicators of the illness:

Formally known as “erythema migrans,” a rash that appears like a bullseye or goal is the commonest early Lyme illness symptom, in response to Lundstrom.

“It can be very faint, however,” she mentioned. “It also may be absent in 20-30% of cases and can be hard to see on darker skin tones.”

Park added that this rash usually seems inside three to 30 days following a tick chunk.

Between COVID, the flu and even the widespread chilly, if you end up with achy joints, chills, a fever, a headache or different flu-like signs, Lyme illness is probably not the very first thing in your thoughts. However these signs might be indicators of it.

“These symptoms can easily be mistaken for a common viral infection such as a cold or flu,” Lundstrom mentioned. “However, the onset of these symptoms paired with potential tick exposure ― for example, hiking in the brush, woodsy areas or tall grass ― occurring three to seven days afterward can signal Lyme disease is a possible cause. Be sure to consult with a medical professional, especially if you identify the bullseye rash or develop other noted symptoms.”

Sudden fatigue may be an early Lyme illness signal.

“Fatigue is an early sign that is frequently dismissed and assumed to occur from not enough sleep or regular everyday activities like working out,” Park mentioned.

Different rashes that don’t appear like a goal might be an early signal of Lyme illness, too.

“A bullseye rash may first appear as a small red bump or a solid red patch that gradually expands, but not everyone develops this type of rash,” Park mentioned. “Other skin manifestations like hives or discomfort similar to a sunburn can also occur.”

Whereas treatable with antibiotics if caught early sufficient, if it’s left untreated, Lyme illness signs can unfold to the joints, coronary heart and nervous system, which is why it’s essential to catch it early (or, ideally, to keep away from getting it in any respect).

In later states, it could possibly trigger facial paralysis generally known as Bell’s palsy, numbness all through the physique, arthritis, mind fog, nerve harm and extra, in response to the Cleveland Clinic.

Whereas Lyme illness is treatable when caught early sufficient, one of the best case state of affairs is that you simply don’t get it in any respect — which is why it’s key to guard your self from ticks, pay attention to the early indicators of Lyme illness, and know when and the place you’re more than likely to get it.

“The illness is caused by ticks in the nymph stage, not adults,” Lundstrom mentioned. “They may be very small, around the size of a poppy seed, and hard to see, but it is important to do a thorough check for ticks after outdoor activities. This includes skin folds and your hair. Early recognition and treatment are key to preventing chronic symptoms such as arthritis, headaches, neck stiffness and facial drooping.”

Along with checking for tinier ticks (bear in mind: the scale of a poppyseed!) Lundstrom recommends carrying lengthy pants and long-sleeved shirts when climbing.

“Treat clothing with 0.5% permethrin or buy pretreated hiking gear, and use EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET,” she added. “Walk in the center of trails for less contact with brush and grass, and always examine skin and clothing carefully and shower to wash off unattached ticks upon returning from a hike.”

For those who choose a DEET-free various, Lundstrom mentioned picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (OLE), para-menthane-diol (PMD), or 2-undecanone are choices to search for in an EPA-registered repellent.

It’s additionally essential to do common tick checks when you reside in an space with extra Lyme illness and to hunt assist instantly when you’re noticing any indicators that might be signs of the illness.

Lastly, know that typically, a tick needs to be connected to your physique for 36 to 48 hours earlier than Lyme illness will be transmitted, which is why checking for and eradicating ticks rapidly could make all of the distinction in relation to Lyme illness prevention.

Whereas a Lyme illness vaccine could also be a risk in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, for now, it’s a actuality we’re residing with. So know the indicators, put on protecting clothes and bug spray, and do common tick checks this summer time. Belief us, you gained’t remorse it.