14 Frequent Symptoms of Lyme Disease

Deer ticks transmit Lyme disease. These deer ticks are not found throughout the country, with 43 out of the 50 states reporting these types of ticks. The spirochete bacteria cause this debilitating disease. Lyme disease is not often reported because the symptoms of Lyme disease are so similar to many other ailments. This similarity of symptoms makes the infection more difficult to diagnose.

There are three categories that Lyme disease is often divided into. The groups are acute, early disseminated, and late disseminated. The progression of Lyme disease will vary. Not every person who is infected with Lyme disease goes through all of the stages. Here are 14 common symptoms of Lyme disease that a person may or may not experience if they are infected with the spirochete bacteria. 

1. Rashes

Getting bitten by a tick does not necessarily mean that you have Lyme disease. The tick must be carrying the bacteria that causes this disease. After the tick bites you, a rash might appear. This rash will often look like a bull’s eye as it will have a red center, a white space, and then a bigger red circle. This bullseye rash could appear anywhere, arms, legs, back, stomach, even on your face.

This rash is often very smooth and does not typically itch. The bullseye rash is one of the first signs that the infection is now spreading throughout the skin tissues. If no treatment is given, the outbreak will often expand and then go away. Roughly 30 percent of people who have Lyme disease do not recall the bullseye rash appearing. If you do notice this type of rash, make sure that you get a picture of it to show your doctor as this can help you when trying to get the right treatment.