The 11 signs you could have Lyme disease as Justin Timberlake shares battle with ‘relentlessly debilitating' condition

Scottish Sun

a day ago

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
JUSTIN Timberlake has opened up about living with "relentlessly debilitating" Lyme disease.
The Sexy Back singer shared the news in a candid Instagram post after facing criticism for his at-times lacklustre performance while on tour.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Justin Timberlake opened up about his health after facing criticism for his performance on his world tour
Credit: AP
5
The star said he's been diagnosed with Lyme disease
Credit: Splash
5
He described the condition as 'relentlessly debilitating'
Credit: Getty
"As I'm reflecting on the tour and festival tour, I want to tell you a little bit about what's going on with me," Justin wrote.
"Among other things, I've been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease - which I don't say so you feel bad for me, but to shed some light on what I've been up against behind the scenes.
"If you've experienced this disease - or know someone who has - then you're aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically."
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks - tiny, spider-like creatures that live in grassy or wooded areas.
Read more on lyme disease
TICK CHECK The 8 subtle symptoms of Lyme disease - and why so many celebs seem to get it
The first symptom of the illness tends to be a red, bulls-eye ring around the bite.
But people bitten by bacteria-laden ticks can be struck with debilitating symptoms days or months afterwards.
These can include severe headaches, joint pain shooting pains or tingling in the hands or feet, and episodes of dizziness.
A number of celebs have spoken out about suffering from the disease - from Bella Hadid and her mum Yolanda, to Justin Bieber, Miranda Hart and Ben Stiller.
Justin took to Instagram to reflect on his recently-concluded world tour for the album Everything I Thought It Was.
He described it as 'the most fun, emotional, gratifying, physically demanding, and, at times, gruelling experience".
Justin Bieber discusses his battle with Lyme disease and how it has affected him
Throughout his tour, Justin was accused of "hardly singing," with many branding his performances "lazy" - prompting a moment of frankness from the singer.
"I was reluctant to talk about this because I was always raised to keep something like this to yourself," he wrote.
"But I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted."
The pop icon didn't say when he was first diagnosed with Lyme disease, but said he was "shocked" to receive the news.
5
'I am trying to be more transparent about my struggles so that they aren't misinterpreted,' Justin said
Credit: Getty
5
Justin - pictured with wife Jessica Biel - said he was suffering from nerve pain and 'crazy fatigue'
Credit: Getty
At the same time, it helped explain some of the symptoms he'd been grappling with.
"At least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness."
For many, the first sign that they've been bitten by a tick carrying borrelia bacteria - which causes Lyme disease - is a raised, bulls-eye rash.
It appears as a single circle that slowly spreads from the site of the tick bite. It may become clear in the centre and look like a target or bull's-eye, or remain red at the centre.
The rash often feels warm to the touch, but it's rarely itchy or painful.
It can pop up to three months after being bitten by an infected tick, but usually appears within one to four weeks, the NHS says.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) estimates that one in three people infected don't get the rash.
And even when it does occur, it may be faint or on an area of the body which isn't very visible like the scalp, behind the ears, behind the knees or on the back.
People who don't get a rash may notice symptoms like a fever and chills, headaches, tiredness and joint and muscle aches.
But other worrying symptoms can strike days or months after an infected tick bite.
These can include:
Severe headaches and neck stiffness Rashes on other areas of the body Facial palsy - drooping on one or both sides of the face Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling - particularly the knees and other large joints Pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones Heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath Nerve pain Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet Trouble with memory or concentration Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Lyme disease is usually easier to treat if it's spotted early.
Left untreated, the infection can spread anywhere in the body leading to around 70 recognised symptoms, according to Lyme Disease UK.
Summer tick bite warning
Lyme disease is endemic in many parts of the UK, particularly in woodland or heathland areas, but disease-carrying ticks can also be found in cities and gardens.
UKHSA recently issued a summer warning about tick bites, after the latest annual data showed that there were 1,581 laboratory confirmed cases of Lyme disease reported in 2024.
"While cases have fallen by 5.2 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023, the number of confirmed cases is likely an underestimate of the true burden of Lyme disease in England," the health watchdog warned.
Most confirmed cases were reported in people living in the South West, South East and London regions, though cases were detected all over the country.
Cases tend to peak in the spring and summer months as the risk of exposure increases.
"It's important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you start to develop symptoms of Lyme disease after a tick bite," UKHSA went on.
"Some people may not notice that they have been bitten as ticks are small and their bites rarely cause pain, which is why it's important to check for ticks on all parts of the body soon after spending time outdoors this summer
"Not all ticks are infected and not everyone who is bitten by an infected tick will develop Lyme disease.
"To pass on the infection, the tick needs to be attached for many hours.
"You are unlikely to develop Lyme disease if you just see a tick crawling on you which has not yet attached and fed."