What is Lyme disease? Bella Hadid’s condition and symptoms explained

By Liam On Jul 20, 2023

Bella Hadid is taking some time out of the spotlight to deal with her persistent Lyme disease symptoms.

The supermodel, 26, suffered from an irregular heartbeat, joint pain and difficulty breathing after contracting the bacterial infection more than a decade ago.

Her illness has become so severe that she has been on “medical leave” for months, a source says E! News this week that she’s “treating her Lyme disease” – rumors that she’s in rehab are dismissed.

Hadid has regularly shared details of her ongoing battle and earlier in 2023 suffered a flare-up of symptoms — including skin issues, fatigue and stomach issues — due to a tooth infection. She has also cited being stressed and overworked to make her symptoms worse.

But what is Lyme disease? Here MailOnline reveals the main symptoms of the disease and how it is treated.

Bella Hadid puts her health first and has taken medical leave to treat her Lyme disease

The supermodel was first diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2012, since then she has endured major flare-ups that would occur when she was ‘stressed’ or ‘overworked’

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted to humans by infected ticks, which are tiny spider-like bugs that range from reddish to black in color and can be the size of a poppy seed or baked bean.

They mainly obstruct lawns in forests, city parks and gardens.

The bugs can be found in every country in the UK, almost all states in the US, and all over Europe and Asia.

However, not every tick in the Netherlands is a carrier of the disease. About 10 percent of ticks are thought to have it.

The infection is caused by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi that is spread through their bites.

Ticks that carry Lyme disease can be found in every country in the UK, almost all states in the US, and throughout Europe and Asia

How is Lyme disease treated?

Lyme disease is usually easier to treat the earlier it is diagnosed, the NHS says.

Those with symptoms — such as a round or oval rash around a tick bite, fever, headache, or muscle and joint pain — are usually prescribed antibiotics for up to 28 days.

Some people with severe symptoms are referred to a specialist in hospital so that antibiotics can be given directly into a vein.

It can take months to recover from Lyme disease, but most people get better after treatment. Those with long-lasting symptoms may be referred to a specialist.

Doctors don’t know why some people have long-lasting symptoms, so there’s no agreed-upon treatment to treat them.

Natasha Metcalf, co-founder and chair of the Lyme Disease UK charity, has urged people to protect themselves from the disease.

She said: ‘We don’t want people to be afraid to enjoy the outdoors, but to get people out there armed with the facts and knowledge they need to protect themselves and others from Lyme disease.

“Early intervention is key, and getting that message across to the public is crucial.”

The NHS website advises people to take the following steps to protect themselves from the disease:

Cover your skin when you walk outside and tuck your pants into your socks
Use insect repellent on your clothes and skin – products containing DEET are best
Stay on clear paths whenever possible
Wear light-colored clothing so ticks are easier to see and remove

Ticks that carry Lyme disease mainly inhibit lawns in forests, city parks and gardens.

What Are the Symptoms of Lyme Disease?

Rash

A rash is one of the earliest and most obvious signs to look out for.

The rash of erythema migrans (EM) is often referred to as a bull’s-eye rash because of the red circular rings. According to Lyme Disease UK, it needs to be treated right away.

However, the rash doesn’t always develop this way, especially on dark skin, and a third of people with Lyme disease don’t get one at all.

The symptom may also appear as a firm rash or take on a bruise-like shape.

Lyme Disease UK warns that the most important thing to watch out for after a tick bite is the rash – it takes at least three days, and even up to three months, to appear.

The rash is generally painless and is not itchy or hot. However, if you get redness or itching after the bite, it’s usually a histamine reaction.

The erythema migrans (EM) rash, often referred to as a bull’s-eye because of the red circular rings, needs immediate treatment, says the Lyme Disease UK charity

How do I remove a tick?

Ticks should be removed with a tick remover or very fine-tipped tweezers, taking care to remove all parts of the tick.

A tick remover should be an essential part of any first aid kit.

There is no minimum time a tick must be in place to transmit an infection. However, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Never pull a tick with your fingers, normal tweezers or any other unsuitable tool.

It is also very important not to smother a tick in oil, petroleum jelly, or any other substance to try and remove it.

This can stress the tick and cause it to respond by regurgitating the contents of its stomach into the host’s bloodstream

How to stay safe

Bring an effective tick repellent on outdoor trips and a tick remover.
Permethrin-treated outerwear should also be considered for high-risk activities and occupations.
Don’t walk through long grass and stay on paths whenever possible.
Wear light-colored clothing to make it easier to spot and remove ticks.
Wear long sleeves and tuck pants into socks.
Shower and do a thorough tick check on yourself, children and pets when you get home.
Remember ticks can be as small as poppy seeds so careful monitoring is essential. Pay special attention to the hairline and behind the ears of young children.
Talk to your vet about pet tick prevention products and check them daily for ticks.

Source: Lyme Disease UK

Flu-like symptoms

Some people experience flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, stiff neck, muscle aches and tiredness.

Muscle and joint pain can also be felt just weeks or days after getting a tick bite, the NHS says.

If Lyme disease is left untreated, or not caught early, the symptoms can progress to more serious symptoms.

Pain and swelling in the joints, known as inflammatory arthritis, may develop.

Facial paralysis

Hanging on one side of the face or a weakness of your facial muscles is another indication of Lyme disease.

This is because the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can also damage the nervous system, including the facial nerve.

Facial muscle weakness or paralysis usually affects one side of the face, says the Facial Palsy UK charity.

The symptom is especially common in children, according to Lyme Disease UK.

Some people may also experience nerve pain, which can feel sharp or pricking.

Memory problems

Problems with concentration or forgetfulness are later symptoms of the disease, according to the NHS.

If the disease is treated at an early stage, you are less likely to develop memory problems.

Eye problems

The Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria that causes Lyme disease can alter your eyesight, according to the charity Guide Dogs UK.

Those recently infected may develop conjunctivitis, which causes the eyes to become bloodshot, irritated, and swollen.

Sufferers may also experience twitching in the body, including the eyes.

This vision change may be temporary and may improve or disappear with treatment of the disease.

However, long-term patients may experience floaters and inflammation.

Optic neuritis is another eye symptom that can develop in people with Lyme disease, according to Guide Dogs UK. It is when the optic nerve becomes inflamed, which can lead to severe eye pain and vision loss. Experts have not made a clear connection to how Lyme disease directly causes this.