Lyme Science Blog

Lyme Disease Causes Vision Loss in 46-Year-Old Woman Lyme disease can cause vision loss through optic neuritis—a rare but serious neurologic complication that may be mistaken for other conditions. This presentation is part of a broader pattern of eye symptoms of Lyme disease, which may reflect neurologic or inflammatory involvement of the visual system. A […]

Are We Dismissing Lyme Disease in Children? Recommendations for managing Lyme disease in children may underestimate the seriousness of persistent symptoms—particularly when treatment options are limited to symptom management alone. Neuropsychiatric manifestations of Lyme disease in children can be complex and, at times, dramatic. “Case reports of neuropsychological manifestations of Lyme disease include Alice in

How Concerned Are People About Tick Bites and Tick-Borne Diseases? Public concern about tick bites varies widely—ranging from high anxiety to complete underestimation of risk. A study published in PLoS One found that 43% of respondents considered tick bites a “large or very large risk” to their health or their family’s health. Interestingly, this perceived

Long-Term Problems in Lyme Neuroborreliosis: What Studies Show Long-term problems in Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) may be less severe at a population level—but individual patients can still experience meaningful declines in health and function. A large European study examined long-term survival, health, education, and social outcomes in patients with Lyme neuroborreliosis. Overall, the authors found no

6 Reasons for Delayed Treatment of Lyme Disease Delayed treatment of Lyme disease can lead to more severe symptoms and prolonged illness—yet many delays are preventable. Patients with recurrent Lyme disease and Lyme encephalopathy have reported waiting an average of two years before receiving treatment. A qualitative study by Hirsch and colleagues identified key reasons

Lyme Disease in Children Rising in Pennsylvania: An Inside Look Lyme disease in children is rising rapidly in Pennsylvania, with cases increasing exponentially and spreading beyond rural areas into suburban and urban communities. According to the CDC, nearly 38% of all reported Lyme disease cases in 2016 occurred in Pennsylvania. In addition, infected ticks are

Impact of Lyme Disease on Work and Caregiving Lyme disease can significantly disrupt a patient’s ability to work and care for others—sometimes even before diagnosis and, in some cases, long after treatment. A qualitative study by Hirsch and colleagues highlights how Lyme disease affects daily functioning, productivity, and caregiving roles. Loss of Function Before and

Steroids May Be Harmful in Bell’s Palsy Caused by Lyme Disease Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for Bell’s palsy—but when the cause is Lyme disease, they may increase the risk of long-term facial nerve complications. By Dr. Daniel Cameron Steroids and Lyme-Related Facial Palsy A case series by Wormser and colleagues followed 11 patients with Lyme

Turning a Blind Eye on Lyme Disease Lyme disease is often dismissed when it presents without classic signs—leading some patients to be overlooked despite significant, persistent symptoms. “Our ignorance is often unbearable and may lead us to turn a blind eye on non-lesional diseases,” writes Raoult. He argues that throughout medical history, some conditions were