Lyme Science Blog

My Doctor Wants to Give Me Steroids—Will That Make Lyme Disease Worse? It’s a fair concern. Steroids are widely used to reduce inflammation, but they come with important risks when used during an active infection—especially Lyme disease. The conversation is often oversimplified or brushed aside. Steroids and Lyme disease can be a risky combination when […]

Can You Have Lyme Disease with a Negative Test? Can you have Lyme disease with a negative test? Yes—and it happens more often than many patients realize. Quick Answer: Lyme disease tests can be negative, especially early in infection or in some cases later in illness. Because testing has limitations, diagnosis often depends on symptoms,

Can Lyme Disease Cause Allodynia? When Normal Touch Becomes Painful Can Lyme disease cause allodynia? Yes. In some patients, Lyme disease can trigger nerve dysfunction where even light touch—like clothing or a breeze—causes pain. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia, anxiety, or unexplained chronic pain—especially when Lyme disease is not initially recognized. Quick answer:

Could Piperacillin Be the Lyme Disease Breakthrough We Need? A recent study published in Science Translational Medicine by researchers at Northwestern University has generated cautious optimism in the Lyme disease community. The study found that an older antibiotic—piperacillin—was able to clear Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, in mice at doses 100 times

Lyme Disease After Pregnancy: Can Symptoms Appear Postpartum? JOINT PAIN AFTER DELIVERY? NO KNOWN TICK BITE? COULD THIS BE LYME DISEASE AFTER PREGNANCY? Lyme disease after pregnancy may present with new or worsening symptoms in the postpartum period—even when earlier symptoms were mild or unnoticed. A 23-year-old woman from Brooklyn, NY, developed severe bilateral knee

Who Are Ticks Attracted To? What Makes You a Target Quick Answer: Ticks are attracted to carbon dioxide, body heat, sweat, scent, and movement. People who are active outdoors or spend time near pets, brush, and tall grass are easier for ticks to find. Who are ticks attracted to? People who produce more heat, carbon

Can Lyme Disease Cause Depression? Yes—Lyme disease can cause depression-like symptoms, including fatigue, low mood, brain fog, and loss of motivation. The difference is that Lyme-related symptoms often fluctuate, include physical findings, and do not fully respond to standard psychiatric treatment. For a broader overview, see the Lyme disease symptoms guide. Lyme Disease vs Depression:

Could Lyme Disease Be Wrecking Your Gut Without You Knowing It? Have you ever felt like your gut was in chaos—like nothing you eat sits right, no doctor can find a clear cause, and your symptoms don’t seem to make sense? You’re not alone. I’ve had many patients tell me they’ve tried everything—probiotics, elimination diets,

Why Lyme Disease Affects People Differently: Mild to Severe Illness SOME RECOVER QUICKLY? OTHERS REMAIN SICK? WHY DOES LYME DISEASE AFFECT PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY? Why Lyme disease affects people differently is one of the most important—and misunderstood—questions in Lyme care. Some patients recover quickly after treatment, while others develop persistent or chronic symptoms that can last

Why Are Ticks So Hated? What Makes Them So Dangerous Quick Answer: Ticks are widely feared because they can transmit serious diseases, feed undetected, and are difficult to find—making them uniquely dangerous compared to other insects. Clinical Insight: The risk from ticks is not just their bite—it’s their ability to quietly transmit infections that may