Justin Timberlake reveals he has been diagnosed with Lyme disease: Learn how to protect yourself from the disease

Washington, DC: Lyme disease is a tick-borne sickness that affects hundreds of thousands of people a year and is becoming more common, according to Justin Timberlake, who just received a diagnosis.

Timberlake posted on Instagram on Thursday, saying, “I was diagnosed with Lyme disease and have been dealing with some health issues.” “You are aware that living with this disease can be physically and mentally incapacitating if you have had it or know someone who has.”

Timberlake just finished a two-year, forty-one-stop globe tour

“I was definitely shocked when I first received the diagnosis,” he said in his article. “But at least I could comprehend why I would be on stage experiencing severe nerve pain or simply feeling extremely tired or ill.”

Fans have slammed Timberlake’s recent performances for being dull and lacking in enthusiasm.

“The joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling,” the singer remarked after considering stopping his tour.

“I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease,” Timberlake continued after disclosing his Lyme diagnosis.

In 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of over 89,000 Lyme disease cases in the United States, which is more than 40% greater than the number recorded in 2022. However, according to the CDC, some estimates indicate that a far higher number of individuals may get a Lyme diagnosis and treatment in the United States annually, with one 2021 research estimating that number at around 476,000.

Experts we talked with described how Lyme disease is spread, its symptoms, hotspot locations, and precautions you may take.

How does one get Lyme illness, and what is it?

Dr. Bobbi Pritt, a Mayo Clinic microbiologist, pathologist, and Lyme disease specialist, tells Yahoo Life that Lyme disease is an illness brought on by spiral-shaped bacteria called spirochetes, the most prevalent of which are Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii in the United States. Pritt continues, “The majority of people contract it after being bitten by an infected black-legged tick, also known as a deer tick.” “By biting an infected rodent, bird, or other animal, these ticks contract the Lyme bacterium.”

After a tick bite, symptoms may appear three to thirty days later. According to Pritt, the majority of patients have flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, exhaustion, headache, loss of appetite, stiff neck, enlarged lymph nodes, and discomfort in the muscles and joints, along with a target-shaped rash at the location of the tick bite. However, she notes that some individuals “don’t notice it if it’s on the back, scalp, or other hard-to-see area,” or they don’t develop a rash at all.

What is the treatment for Lyme disease?

According to Pritt, if the infection is not treated, it may spread and cause worsening symptoms, including arthritis, bone and joint pain, more rashes, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and facial palsy, or one-sided face droop. “Numbness or shooting pains in the hands and feet can be caused by nerve involvement,” she explains. “Involvement of the heart can lead to inflammation and rarely death,” albeit this is uncommon.

According to the CDC, a course of oral or intravenous antibiotics is almost always part of the treatment for Lyme disease, but it varies depending on the case and symptoms. However, 5% to 10% of infected people still experience symptoms, including bodily pains, cognitive fog, and weariness even after therapy, according to Pritt. “These symptoms may not go away for months,” she explains. “Therefore, whenever possible, it is crucial to take precautions against Lyme disease.”

Where is Lyme disease most prevalent?

The CDC’s Lyme disease map shows that the Northeast, Upper Midwest, and West Coast are hotspots for the illness. These places, which are popular for hiking and outdoor enjoyment, are naturally covered with large tracts of bush and trees. “Lyme disease used to seem to be restricted to certain areas of the United States,” says Dr. Mark Loafman, an Illinois family doctor at Cook County Health. However, there is danger anywhere there is a lot of vegetation.

Loafman adds that because deer ticks like warm climates, climate change may be making matters worse. According to NASA, their population is usually controlled by freezing temperatures, but the danger of Lyme disease increases when winter temperatures rise in the northern United States and Canada.

Five strategies to prevent Lyme illness

According to Loafman and Pritt, there are things you can do to reduce your chance of getting Lyme disease from tick bites.

Steer clear of hot places. Avoiding Lyme disease hotspots is a good idea, particularly during the warmer months, according to the CDC’s map. Pritt advises staying away from thick vegetation, such as tall grasses and leaf litter, which are breeding grounds for ticks, if that is not feasible and you spend a lot of time outdoors in such areas.

Put on protective gear and apply insect repellent. Even in hot weather, it’s important to wear clothes that protect your skin while engaging in outside activities. “A simple and efficient method to prevent ticks from biting your legs is to tuck your pants into your socks,” Pritt adds. Additionally, she suggests using tick repellents like Deet, Picaridin, and eucalyptus or lemon oil. You may apply permethrin, an insecticide, on clothing and equipment to provide an extra layer of protection.

Do thorough tick-offs often. Checking the whole body for tick bites is crucial, especially after being outside. Because deer ticks are small, “the skin inspection must be thorough and close,” according to Loafman. He continues by saying that since the insects like to burrow tightly against the skin, they often hide in the groin, armpits, inner elbows, waistband, and sock line.

Remove the tick right away if you discover one. According to Loafman, “it usually takes 36 to 48 hours for an infection to spread because ticks take their time setting up shop to feed on your blood.” This implies that your risk of being ill decreases with the time it takes to remove a tick. However, Loafman cautions against doing so, and Pritt advocates using tweezers, since crushing or wounding the tick might result in an injection of its saliva, which can exacerbate the situation.

See your doctor right away and save the tick. Once the tick has been removed, Loafman advises placing it in a plastic bag that can be sealed and bringing it to your primary care physician, whom you should visit right away. “They might want to see the tick to help determine the risk, depending on the circumstances,” he explains. The most crucial thing is to consult a doctor if you think you were bitten, regardless of whether you discovered a tick. According to Loafman, “treatment can help even if days or weeks have passed.”