Signs and Symptoms of Untreated Lyme Disease | Lyme Disease

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class="cdc-dfe-body__top "> <div class="dfe-section dfe-section--page-summary summary-list" data-section="cdc_symptoms_page_summary"> <div class="dfe-section__header"> <h2>Key points</h2> </div> <div class="dfe-section__content"> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Seek medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms and have recently had a tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area where Lyme disease occurs.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <div class="dfe-section__nav hide" id="dfe-section__nav"> <div class="dfe-section__nav__header" id="dfe-section__nav__header"> </div> <div class="dfe-section__nav-links" id="dfe-section__nav-links"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="dfe-section__image" id="page-summary-image"> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="image-container fluid aspect-ratio-16-9 stretch"><img src="/lyme/images/rashes/CDC_EM.jpg" alt="Circular red rash with central clearing that slowly expands" title="“Classic” Lyme disease rash"></div></figure> </div> <div id="nav-buttons"> </div> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__center "> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_symptoms_symptoms"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_symptoms_symptoms-signs-and-symptoms" name="Signs%20and%20symptoms" title="Signs and symptoms"></a><h2>Signs and symptoms</h2> <h3>Early signs and symptoms (3 to 30 days after tick bite)</h3> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes may occur in the absence of rash<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Erythema migrans (EM) rash (<a href="/lyme/signs-symptoms/lyme-disease-rashes.html" class="ce-selection">see photos</a>):<ul> <li class="level-2">Occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected people<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-2">Begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days)<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-2">Expands gradually over several days reaching up to 12 inches (30 cm) or more across<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-2">May feel warm to the touch but is rarely itchy or painful<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-2">Sometimes clears as it enlarges, resulting in a target or "bull's-eye" appearance<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-2">May appear on any area of the body<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-2">Does not always appear as a "classic bull's-eye" rash<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="links-options"><span class="file-download"><a href="/lyme/media/images/EM-rashes.jpg" download="download" target="_blank">Download<span aria-label=" jpg icon" role="img" class="sr-only"></span><span class="cdc-link-icon cdc-link-icon--jpg" aria-hidden="true"></span></a></span></div><div class="image-container calculated-ratio-16-9 aspect-ratio-16-9 stretch"><img src="/lyme/media/images/EM-rashes.jpg" alt="Erythema migrans rashes on two different skin tones to show the wide variety of appearances." title="EM rashes side by side"></div> <div class="dfe-image-caption-container"><figcaption class="dfe-image-caption" id="caption-4497-66c5189faea21">The appearance of the erythema migrans rash can vary widely.</figcaption></div></figure> <h3>Later signs and symptoms (days to months after tick bite)</h3> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">Severe headaches and neck stiffness<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat (<a href="/lyme/hcp/clinical-care/lyme-carditis.html" class="">Lyme carditis</a>)<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Nerve pain<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> <figure class="dfe-image dfe-image__large"><div class="image-container calculated-ratio-16-9 aspect-ratio-16-9 stretch"><img src="/lyme/media/images/Later-signs-and-symptoms-of-LD.jpg" alt="Later signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include swollen knees, irregular heartbeat, and facial palsy." title="Later signs and symptoms"></div> <div class="dfe-image-caption-container"><figcaption class="dfe-image-caption" id="caption-4500-66c5189faef74">Later signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include swollen knees, irregular heartbeat, and facial palsy.</figcaption></div></figure> <div class="dfe-block dfe-callout dfe-callout--standard"><div class="dfe-callout__icon" aria-hidden="true" role="img"></div> <h3>Reminder&lrm;</h3> <div class="dfe-callout__body"><div class="callout-desc">Seek medical attention if you observe any of these symptoms and have had a recent tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area <a href="/lyme/data-research/facts-stats/lyme-disease-case-map.html">where Lyme disease occurs</a>.</div> </div></div> </div> <div class="dfe-section" data-section="cdc_symptoms_compare"> <a class="onThisPageAnchor" id="cdc_symptoms_compare-more-about-rashes" name="More%20about%20rashes" title="More about rashes"></a><h2>More about rashes</h2> <ul class="nested-list"> <li class="level-1">A small bump or redness at the site of a tick bite that occurs immediately and resembles a mosquito bite, is common. This irritation generally goes away in 1-2 days and is not a sign of Lyme disease.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">A rash with a very similar appearance to EM occurs with <a href="/lyme/about/about-southern-tick-associated-rash-illness.html" class="">Southern Tick-associated Rash Illness (STARI)</a> but is not Lyme disease.<ul> </ul> </li> <li class="level-1">Ticks can spread <a href="/ticks/about/index.html" class="">other organisms</a> that may cause a different type of rash.<ul> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="cdc-dfe-body__right page-right-rail"> <aside class="page-right-rail__dynamic noindex" role="complementary"> <div data-related-nav></div> </aside> </div> </div> <div data-journey-next></div> <section class="container page-mobile-bar"> <time class="page-mobile-bar__item page-mobile-bar__item--date" datetime="2024-05-15 00:00:00"> May 15, 2024 </time> </section> <div class="page-content-sources noindex"> <div class="page-content-sources__header"> <a 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