Lyme disease symptoms are usually evident in three stages. The first stage occurs within the first to four weeks of the tick bite. The second stage begins on the second month after exposure and goes through the fourth month. The final stage is considered late undetected and persistent Lyme disease. While others show no signs of Lyme disease during the early stages, common symptoms that develop throughout the infection include red rash, flu-like symptoms, numbness in arms and legs, paralysis of face, poor memory, heart problems, inflammation of joints, fatigue, and chronic arthritis.
Lyme disease can lead to long-term disabilities and other serious complications when not detected and treated during the early stages. It is very important that you are able to detect Lyme disease as early as possible to avoid these complications. Here are the symptoms of Lyme disease, according to stages:
One to four weeks from tick bite
Within the first four weeks after being bitten by an infected tick, Lyme symptoms usually include a red rash called erythema migrans which typically appears on the spot of the bite. The rash may also get larger over time. In some cases, no rashes will appear but flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pains, and swollen lymph nodes show up. You may also have both rashes and flu-like symptoms, or maybe no symptoms at all, which is also quite common for many infected individuals.
Two to four months after the bite
After a month has passed up to four months after the tick bite and the disease remains unrecognized or untreated, the infection may affect your joints, your skin, your nervous system, and even your heart. This time, more rashes may appear on the different parts of your body. You will get unusually tired, feel numbness and pain in arms and legs, have more headaches, faint, and experience facial nerve paralysis or severe heart problems. Other cases also show poor concentration and poor memory retention. There are others who palpitate and develop pink eye, also known as conjunctivitis.
Late undetected and persistent
When treatment is not properly implemented or infection is not sought after more months, Lyme disease on its later stage, may harm your nerves, joints, and brain. Usually, the same symptoms are apparent as the previous stage and include numbness and pain in arms and legs, facial nerve paralysis, and poor memory retention. However, with the prolonged infection of Lyme disease in your body, more neurological complications are also observed, such as moodiness, sleepiness, and problems with speach. You may experience inflammation of joints and sever fatigue. Persistent Lyme disease can also cause chronic Lyme arthritis, which is characterized by swelling, redness, and pain in joints that is said to last up to six months at a time.
It is always best to prevent getting infected with Lyme disease, but if it is already in your body, the best thing you can do is to stop making it worse. Always be wary of its symptoms and immediately contact or visit your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.