Complications of Lyme disease can occur months or even years after the initial tick bite. One possible complication is hair loss, although further research is needed to confirm the link.
Lyme disease is an illness that we contract when a tick bites us and transmits the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. The bacterial infection can be treated with antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can cause complications.
It is estimated that approximately 500,000 people develop Lyme disease in the United States each year, but the actual number may be even higher. The situation is similar in Europe. In the early stages, people with the bacterial infection that causes Lyme disease may experience skin rashes or flu-like symptoms in some cases.
Kevin Jonas’s wife, Danielle, recently spoke about how her hair loss is caused by Lyme disease. She is also trying to raise awareness of this complex disease, which affects an increasing number of people, including well-known personalities. This summer, Justin Timberlake also shared on Instagram that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. Recently, several celebrities have revealed that they are struggling with similar problems, which further increases interest and awareness of the disease.
Learn more about the link between Lyme disease and hair loss, which is a possible complication that can occur long after a tick bite, and what you can do to treat it.
Can Lyme disease cause hair loss?
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne illness in the United States. Treatment in the early stages, when symptoms first appear, can help prevent further complications.
Complications usually occur several months (or even years) after the tick bite.
However, early-stage Lyme disease that does not respond to treatment or remains untreated can lead to long-term symptoms. Systemic pain, such as muscle pain, joint pain and headaches, may occur.
Less is known about the occurrence of hair loss in people with Lyme disease. Hair loss can have many possible causes, ranging from heredity and age to hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies.
Hair loss can also be a symptom in people recovering from infections. This type of hair loss is known as anagen effluvium and occurs when an internal or external factor prevents hair growth.
It is most noticeable a few months after the onset of the illness. During this time, you may notice more hair in your comb or brush, on your pillow or in the shower after washing your hair.
The same type of hair loss can also occur after pregnancy or an emotionally stressful event. When excessive hair loss stops, it can take 6-9 months for hair to grow back.
What does the research show?
Although further clinical research is needed to confirm the link between Lyme disease and hair loss, a few studies have already documented such cases.
The first is a 2021 case study of an adult woman who sought medical treatment for flu-like symptoms, as well as scalp dandruff and inflammation. Blood tests revealed Lyme disease.
Another case study from 2024 involves another adult woman who experienced hair loss two months after multiple tick bites. In this case, the hair loss occurred in the area where one of the ticks had bitten her scalp. The woman did not report any flu-like symptoms.
So far, researchers have hypothesised that temporary hair loss caused by Lyme disease is due to an autoimmune-like reaction. Tick bites can also damage hair follicles, which can lead to what is known as tick-bite alopecia.
In the above case studies related to Lyme disease or tick-bite alopecia, antibiotic treatment helped to eliminate the symptoms. However, it is important to note that it can take several months for the hair to grow back to its normal state.
source: https://www.healthline.com/health/hair-loss-from-lyme-disease
(C) Lyme Borreliosis Foundation
