While this time of year begins to see the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer, it also means that the bugs will be returning, including ticks. If you live or frequent any wooded areas, spring is prime season for ticks which means there is an added risk of Lyme disease. This can be an especially concerning disease among older people and since tics are not always easy to spot, you have to be aware of the symptoms. Here are some side effects of Lyme disease to watch out for.
Rashes
Insect bites can often cause irritation to the skin, but the tick bites are unique compared to mosquito or fly bites. First of all, the sight of the rash is larger than normal and has a distinct look like a bullseye expanded out from the bite. Also, the rash has very little irritation or itching. The rash can vary in terms of when they appear, showing up anywhere between one or two days, to a month of being bit.
Joint pain
Another somewhat serve symptoms to be on the look out for is an increase in pain among your joint areas. The majority of people who suffer from Lyme disease have experienced similar types of pain and in some serious cases have even developed arthritis from the condition. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult symptom to catch even for doctors so be cautious if it is coupled with any of these other symptoms.
Tiredness
Exhaustion or fatigue can be another hard symptom to diagnose. Many people dismiss being tired as a side effect of working a long day, but the type of tired that you experience in relation to Lyme disease is quite different. If you find yourself taking an excessive amount of naps during the day, lacking energy throughout the day and feeling tired even when you know you haven’t been overworked, this could be a sign of fatigue brought on by Lyme disease.
Fever
Fever symptoms can be quite common among sufferers of Lyme disease. This can include an elevated temperature or feeling hot more often, body aches, headaches dizziness, and congestion. Also be on the look out for swollen lymph nodes, which feels like lumps in the throat and can cause sore throats.
Eye irritation
Inflammation of the eyes is one of the most noticeable symptoms of Lyme disease, and it can grow more serve as time passes. The redness of the eyes and bloodshot appearance may sometimes be mistaken for a reaction to allergies but the soreness and blurred vision that sometimes accompanies it should be more indicative of a more serious problem.
If you feel you’re suffering from any of the above symptoms or would like to know more about Lyme disease, consult your doctor.