Lyme disease symptoms can vary greatly depending on the severity and the stage of the disease. Especially at the beginning of the infection, it is important to recognize and treat the signs safely. This prevents the symptoms from becoming chronic. In a late stage, the symptoms of Lyme disease are very diverse and therefore more difficult to interpret. Read here, where you recognize Lyme disease.
Lyme disease stages
The borreliosis symptoms depend on the stage of the disease: Starting from the point of entry (carbene sting), the Borrelia bacteria spread through the bloodstream gradually throughout the body. As the infection progresses, the Borrelia symptoms change and become worse. Altogether one differentiates three successive Lyme stages.
However, the disease does not progress in all patients in this order. Some show only the Lyme disease symptoms of a stage. In others, symptoms of different stages are combined in different ways. This is what makes the disease of Lyme so multiform.
Note: When describing Lyme disease symptoms, there are often three different disease states (as below). Some experts consider this classification as too “artificial”. They prefer a classification of symptoms in early manifestations (such as wandering, acute neuroborreliosis) and late manifestations (such as arthritis and chronic neuroborreliosis).
Lyme disease symptoms in the first stage
If the bacteria penetrate the skin after the tick bite, it occurs in about 89 percent of cases within days to weeks Disease-eye rash, The technical term for this erythema is erythema chronicum migrans or erythema migrans. Starting from the tick point, it spreads circular. In the course, it is often paler in the middle, so it looks like a ring. Some people also develop reddening of the skin on several parts of the body at the same time.
Note: The skin redness in Lyme disease may also be atypical. For example, it can not hike, be not edge-accentuated, look irregularly patchy, or show on warmed-up skin. Doctors here speak of an atypical erythema migrans.
In addition to the erythema migrans can Non-specific Lyme disease signs consist. These are general complaints, as they occur in other diseases. These include, for example, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain, fever, chills and loss of appetite. In addition, lymph nodes can swell
The ticks are especially active in the summer months, so that borreliosis symptoms are as good as possible summer occur. Often, the complaints are initially considered a “summer flu”. It is therefore very important to closely observe the site for several weeks after a tick bite. If you discover an erythema migrans, you should go immediately to the family doctor. This skin condition is a clear sign of Borrelia infection, and sufferers should always be treated with antibiotics.
Sometimes infected people develop after the tick bite no wandering red, The borreliosis bacteria can then spread unrecognized in the body, and the infection will be discovered at a later date.
Lyme disease symptoms in the second stage
Weeks to months after the tick bite, the pathogens have spread through the bloodstream in the body so that they reach various organs. Depending on where they attach themselves, specific Lyme disease symptoms may occur.
Lyme disease symptoms of the nervous system
Very often the Borrelia infects the nervous system. Doctors then speak of one early (acute) neuroborreliosis, Typically, the nerve roots of the spinal cord become inflamed, causing tormenting, burning neuralgia triggers. Also paralysis, sensory disturbances or loss of sensation in certain areas of the skin, this would be possible signs.
Lyme disease symptoms in case of nervous system involvement can also affect the brain. Especially children often develop an acute Meningitis (Meningitis). If cranial nerves are affected, it may, for example, become one-sided or bilateral facial paralysis (Facial paralysis) come.
Lyme disease symptoms in the heart
Relatively rarely, Borrelia infects the heart. That can be one Myocarditis (Myocarditis), Pericarditis (Pericarditis) or one Inflammation of all wall layers of the heart (Pancarditis). Possible Lyme disease symptoms include tachycardia, heart stuttering, atrial fibrillation or conduction disturbances in the heart (AV block). Especially the latter can be life threatening.
Lyme disease symptoms on the skin
Lyme disease symptoms of the second stage of disease also affect the skin in rare cases: it develops small, blue-red Hautknötchen, especially on the earlobes, nipples or scrotum. This Cutaneous lymphoid hyperplasia is especially observed in children, adolescents and women.
Lyme disease symptoms in the third stage
Borreliosis symptoms of the third stage of the disease can be seen months to years after a Borrelia infection. They usually affect the joints, what doctors call Lyme arthritis. Rarely, other organs are affected, such as the skin or nervous system.
arthritis
In the Lyme arthritis it is a relapsing or chronic inflammation of one or more joints. The most commonly affected are the knee joints, followed by other joints such as ankle, finger or temporomandibular joints. Patients complain of pain and swelling in the joint area. The symptoms can alternately fade away and flare up again. In addition, they often jump from joint to joint. In every inflammatory reaction, the articular cartilage is further damaged. This can make the joint increasingly stiffer.
dermatitis
Rarely, chronic dermatitis occurs in the third stage of the disease, especially in older women. Doctors speak here of the “Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicansThis is a skin lesion that affects the extensor sides of the arms and legs as well as the fingers and toes, the skin turns dark red, is swollen and inflamed, and then becomes paper-thin and very sensitive.
In the further course joint diseases and nerve damage can occur at the affected extremity sections.
Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Also rare in the third stage of the disease is chronic chronic inflammation of the brain and spinal cord (encephalomyelitis or chronic neuroborreliosis). Possible Lyme disease symptoms include, for example, gait and coordination disorders, bladder paralysis, paralysis of the arms and / or legs, speech and speech disorders, and hearing disorders.
Rarely do those affected also develop epilepsy, inflammation of the cerebral vessels or an organic psychosyndrome. The latter is associated with poor concentration, impaired consciousness and hallucinations.
Not every infection leads to the disease
Some people do not show any symptoms, although they have been shown to be infected with Borrelia. This means that not every infection with Borrelia will solve it Disease symptoms on. Whether in such cases the bacteria were successfully defeated by the immune system or hide somewhere in the body, one does not yet know.