Justin Timberlake has been diagnosed with Lyme disease.
The 44-year-old singer revealed his health condition in an Instagram post shared Thursday.
The news comes as Timberlake finishes his two-year Forget Tomorrow World Tour, during which his recent performances had been criticized for being less lively than usual.
“I’ve been battling some health issues, and was diagnosed with Lyme disease—which I don’t say so you feel bad for me—but to shed some light on what I’ve been up against behind the scenes,” Timberlake wrote.
“If you’ve experienced this disease or know someone who has—then you’re aware: living with this can be relentlessly debilitating, both mentally and physically,” he continued.
Timberlake went on to explain that despite his symptoms—including “a massive amount of nerve pain” and “crazy fatigue or sickness”—he continued his tour due to the “joy that performing brings [him].”
Although Timberlake said he was at first reluctant to go public with his diagnosis, he explained that he is trying to be more “transparent” with fans about his struggles.
“[I’m] sharing all of this with the hope that we can all find a way to be more connected,” he wrote. “I’d like to do my part to help others experiencing this disease too.”
Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in North America and Europe.
It’s an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, and is transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged (deer) tick.
Lyme disease symptoms are no joke: About 70-80% of those infected will develop erythema migrans (EM), a red “bulls-eye” rash at the site of the tick bite that may burn or itch.
Other hallmarks of Lyme disease include:
- Arthritis: About 60% of people with untreated Lyme disease will develop the condition that causes swollen, painful joints.
- Neurological symptoms: If it spreads to the nervous system, Lyme disease can cause Bell palsy (a facial droop) or meningitis. Other neurological symptoms can include memory loss, trouble concentrating, muscle weakness, or tingling and numbness in the extremities.
- Less common symptoms: Eye inflammation, fatigue, sleep disturbances, stiff neck, fever, and body aches have also been linked to Lyme disease infections.
After a diagnosis, Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin or ibuprofen) to keep symptoms manageable.
For prevention’s sake, protect yourself against tick bites as much as possible. That means:
- Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants.
- Use insect repellents that have DEET or permethrin.
- Check your skin after being outdoors and promptly remove any visible ticks.
