9 Subtle Signs Of Lyme Disease You Might Not Think To Look For

Healthline reports that Lyme-carrying ticks leave a distinctive red bull's-eye shaped rash, which can show up anywhere on your body that's been exposed to tick bites. The bull's eye rash leaves the skin flat — not raised — and it appears in up to 80 percent of people when first infected with Lyme. And weirdly, it usually doesn't itch. The rash disappears after a while, but if left untreated, the infection continues to spread inside the body. However, some people who are infected with Lyme Disease may have a non-bull's-eye-shaped rash, or no rash at all (or no visible rash). Tick-induced rashes can appear up to 30 days after a tick bite, Healthline further reports, and can also show up as red blotches, bumps, or blisters.

According to the CDC, swollen lymph nodes, fevers, headaches, chills, nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches are common signs of early Lyme infection that can be easy to miss. You might think you're fighting off a summer cold or flu, but if you've been potentially exposed to tick bites before the onset of your symptoms, it's important to get checked out by a health care provider.

These days, it seems that the potential causes of fatigue are virtually endless. But, it's important to note that fatigue is a major early sign of Lyme disease, and it can also linger on if Lyme is left untreated. According to the Mayo Clinic, severe fatigue is a less-common sign of Lyme disease, and it may not show up until several weeks after initial exposure to Lyme infection. Still, if you've got a bout of fatigue that you just can't shake, it's probably not a bad idea to check in with your doctor.

The CDC states that intense headaches coupled with a stiff neck are sometimes a sign of Lyme disease, and can appear anywhere from days to months after a bite by a Lyme-infected tick.

Healthline notes that up to 80 percent of those infected with Lyme disease may experience painful, swollen joints, while on-again off-again episodes of arthritis can also be a sign of Lyme infection, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Healthline further reports that if you wake up drenched at night — like drenched in sweat — that could be a sign of Lyme disease. Healthline also notes that about 41 percent of those infected with Lyme report sleep problems, while over 60 percent experience night sweats and chills.

Some folks infected with Lyme go on to develop neurological issues like numbness or weakness in the arms and legs, inflammation in the brain (meningitis), or paralysis in the face (Bell's palsy), according to the Mayo Clinic. The CDC also reports that signs of Lyme can include shooting pains or tingling in the arms or feet, and overall nerve pain.

The CDC reports that when Lyme infection enters the tissues of the heart, it can cause cardiac symptoms called Lyme carditis. Basically, Lyme-causing bacteria start messing with the heart's electrical signals, and can lead to irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Healthline notes that folks with Lyme disease can often experience problems concentrating at school or work. With the later stages Lyme infection, up to 81 percent of folks have memory loss and impaired mental focus.

Since the symptoms of Lyme disease can so often look like other illnesses, it's important to be mindful of the risks — especially if you live in an area where ticks are common. Make sure to cover up as much as possible when in heavily wooded and grassy areas, and always do a full body check once you've come back inside — while making sure to scan your pup for ticks, too. If you do catch a tick on your body, remove it as quickly as possible with tweezers. Early Lyme infection can respond well to antibiotic treatments, according to the CDC, so, if you do end up with a bite or a suspected bite, check in with your doctor as soon as you can.