Months or even years after an initial tick bite, it’s possible to develop complications from Lyme disease. One possible complication is hair loss, though more research is needed on this relationship.
Lyme disease is a condition caused when a tick bites someone and spreads a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacterial infection may be treated with antibiotics, but it can cause complications when left untreated.
It’s estimated that about 300,000 people develop Lyme disease each year. In early stages, people who develop the bacterial infection that causes Lyme disease may experience a rash and flu-like symptoms.
Learn more about the connection between Lyme disease and hair loss, one possible complication that may develop much after the tick bite, and what you can do to help treat it.
Lyme disease is considered the most common type of tick-borne disease in the United States. Treatment at its early stage, when symptoms first develop, may help prevent further complications.
Complications typically happen several months (or even years) after the initial tick bite.
However, early Lyme disease that doesn’t respond to treatment or is left untreated may lead to long-term symptoms. Systemic pain, such as muscle aches, joint pain, and headaches are possible.
Less is known about the incidence of hair loss in people with Lyme disease. Hair loss has numerous possible causes, ranging from heredity and age to hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies.
Hair loss is also a possible symptom in people recovering from infections. This type of hair loss is known as anagen effluvium, and it occurs when either an internal or external factor prevents hair from growing.
It’s also most noticeable a few months after an illness. During this time, you might notice more hair in a brush or comb, on your pillow, or in the shower after washing your hair.
The same type of hair loss may occur after a pregnancy or an emotionally stressful event in your life. When excess hair loss stops, it can take 6 to 9 months to regrow.
What research shows
While more clinical research is needed to confirm a link between Lyme disease and hair loss, a few studies have noted such occurrences.
The first is a 2021 case report of an adult female who sought medical treatment after experiencing flu-like symptoms along with scalp crust and inflammation. Blood tests revealed Lyme disease.
Another case report from
So far, researchers have theorized Lyme disease causing temporary hair loss may be due to an autoimmune-like response. Hair follicle damage is also possible from the tick bites leading to what’s known as tick-bite alopecia.
In the above case reports involving either Lyme disease or tick-bite alopecia, antibiotic treatments helped resolve symptoms. However, it’s important to know that it can still take several months for hair to regrow to its normal state.
There are several possible symptoms of Lyme disease, some of which also develop at different stages after the initial tick bite. It’s also possible to develop these symptoms without being aware a tick previously bit you.
The first set of symptoms may occur within
- fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- joint pain
- fatigue
- headache
- swollen lymph nodes
- an erythema migrans rash, which may have a “bull’s-eye” or “target” shape, and can grow
12 inches wide
Several days, weeks, or months after the tick bite, you may experience a combination of the
- arthritis pain, particularly in large joints such as your knees
- more erythema migrans rashes
- severe headaches
- neck stiffness
- nerve pain, which may also cause numbness and tingling in your hands and feet
- muscle pain
- dizziness
- heart palpitations
- shortness of breath
- drooping muscles on one or both sides of your face (facial palsy)
If you experience possible symptoms of Lyme disease, it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible. This is especially true if you’ve experienced a known tick bite or if you live in or have traveled to a region where Lyme disease is more prevalent, such as the
Aside from the infection that causes Lyme disease, it’s also important to speak with a doctor about possible complications. These include persistent aches and pains and excessive hair loss.
It’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day. However, if you’re shedding large amounts or clumps of hair throughout the day, you may be exceeding this amount.
If you’re concerned about the amount of hair you’re losing, consider speaking with a dermatologist. This type of doctor specializes in treating hair and skin diseases and may be able to help determine the underlying cause of your hair loss.
Treatment for Lyme disease consists of antibiotics. In early stages, you may be prescribed one of the following antibiotics for
- amoxicillin
- cefuroxime axetil
- doxycycline
Lyme disease is a common tick-borne illness. The infection can cause flu-like symptoms and a rash, which may resolve after antibiotic treatment.
Hair loss has also been a reported symptom both anecdotally and in clinical case reports. This may be caused by temporary hair follicle damage from the infection, or from the tick bite itself.
If you have confirmed or suspected Lyme disease and you’re experiencing hair loss, consider seeing a doctor regarding the next steps.