Lyme disease

Lyme disease (also called Lyme borreliosis) is an infection caused by a bacteria, transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (often called deer ticks). It’s most common in parts of North America, Europe and Asia where these ticks are found.

Lyme disease is not common in Australia because the bacteria that cause it hasn’t been found in ticks here. The Australian government does not recognise Lyme disease as being acquired locally in Australia as there has been no Borrelia bacteria on Australian ticks.

The only cases that are diagnosed here are acquire by travellers, who have been to areas overseas where the disease is prevalent. Particularly if they have travelled to certain regions in North America, Europe or Asia.

Early symptoms (stage 1 – localised infection)

Symptoms typically appear 3–30 days after a tick bite:

• Erythema migrans – a red, expanding “bull’s-eye” rash at the bite site (in about 70–80% of cases)

• Fever and chills

• Fatigue

• Muscle and joint aches

• Headache

• Swollen lymph nodes

Later symptoms (stage 2 & 3 – disseminated and chronic infection)

If untreated, the infection can spread to joints, the heart and the nervous system with the following symptoms:

• Severe joint pain and swelling, especially in the knees

• Neurological problems, like facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), numbness, tingling or meningitis

• Heart rhythm irregularities (Lyme carditis)

• Cognitive issues, such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating

• Persistent fatigue

Causes of Lyme disease

Lyme’s disease is:

• caused by Borrelia bacteria (mainly Borrelia burgdorferi in the US and Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii in Europe and Asia)

• spread by the bite of infected ticks, usually after being attached for at least 24–48 hours

Prevention of Lyme disease

There are ways you can prevent Lyme’s disease, mainly by not being bitten by the ticks that cause it.

• Wear long sleeves and pants in tick-prone areas

• Use tick repellents

• Check your body for ticks after outdoor activities

• Remove ticks promptly with fine-tipped tweezers

• Shower after outdoor exposure to wash off unattached ticks

Complications of Lyme disease

Joint complications 

• Arthritis: Severe joint pain and swelling, particularly in large joints like the knees.
• Intermittent pain: Pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones. 

Neurological complications

• Meningitis-like symptoms: Severe headaches and a stiff neck.
• Facial palsy: Weakness or drooping on one or both sides of the face.
• Nerve pain: Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Brain and spinal cord inflammation: Inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.
• Cognitive issues: Difficulty concentrating and memory problems. 

Cardiac complications 

• Lyme carditis: Inflammation of the heart, causing heart palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.
• Dizziness and shortness of breath: Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath due to the heart problems. 

Other potential complications

• Post-Lyme disease syndrome (PLDS): Some people experience lingering symptoms like fatigue and joint pain after treatment, even without an active infection.
• Chronic debilitating conditions: In rare cases, the complications can lead to long-term, disabling issues. 
• Inflammation of the brain (encephalitis): in very rare cases this can occur.

Diagnosis of Lyme disease

There are several ways Lyme disease can be diagnosed:

• Based on symptoms, possible tick exposure and lab tests

• Blood tests include:

  • ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)

  • Western blot test (to confirm Lyme disease)

Early blood tests may be negative, as antibodies to the bacteria can take time to develop. Your doctor will order new tests if they suspect you have Lyme disease if the first tests are negative.

Conventional treatment of Lyme disease

Conventional treatment of Lyme disease includes:

Antibiotics in the short term

This medication is highly effective, especially when started early as they target and kill the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

The antibiotics normally prescribed are:

• Doxycycline (for adults and older children)
• Amoxicillin or Cefuroxime (for younger children or pregnant people)

Most people will recover fully with 2–4 weeks of taking the antibiotics.

Long term antibiotics are not recommended:

• Multiple clinical trials show no sustained benefit from prolonged or repeated antibiotic courses once standard therapy is complete

• Long-term IV antibiotics can cause serious side effects — such as infections, liver toxicity, and blood clots

Post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS)

Persistent symptoms (post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome) such as fatigue and muscle pain, can sometimes linger, but the bacteria are usually cleared from the body. About 5%-20% of patients may continue to experience persistent symptoms.

The exact cause is not fully understood, but hypotheses for PTLDS include:

• Immune system over-activation or autoimmune response

• Residual tissue or nerve damage

• Persistent inflammation

• Microbiome disruption after antibiotics

• Rarely, possible low-level bacterial remnants (though not proven)

Symptom-targeted management of PTLDS

Because PTLDS is likely due to immune, neurological, and metabolic imbalance rather than active infection, treatment focuses on symptom control and functional recovery:

Pain and inflammation

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for joint/muscle pain

• Low-dose naltrexone (experimental, under physician supervision)

• Natural anti-inflammatories: turmeric (curcumin), omega-3 fatty acids, ginger, evening primrose oil

Fatigue and low energy

• Graded exercise therapy (slow, gentle physical activity like walking or yoga)

• Address sleep quality and stress

• Coenzyme Q10 and magnesium may help with mitochondrial energy support

Neurological & cognitive symptoms

• Cognitive rehabilitation and “brain retraining” programs

• B vitamins (especially B12 and B6) for nerve support

• Mindfulness and stress reduction therapies

Mood & sleep

• CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

• Adaptogens (ashwagandha, rhodiola) to regulate stress response (with medical approval)

• Sleep hygiene strategies (consistent bedtime, magnesium glycinate, melatonin if needed)

Gut and immune support

Because antibiotics disrupt gut flora, restoring balance is vital:

• Probiotics (multi-strain: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium)

• Prebiotic foods: garlic, onions, asparagus

• Anti-inflammatory diet: rich in greens, berries, oily fish, olive oil, turmeric

• Avoid refined sugar, processed foods, alcohol

Multidisciplinary care

PTLDS often benefits from a team approach:

• Infectious disease specialist (to rule out reinfection or co-infection)

• Rheumatologist (for joint symptoms)

• Neurologist or psychologist (for cognitive and emotional effects)

• Physiotherapist or exercise specialist (for gradual reconditioning)

• Nutritionist (for anti-inflammatory diet and supplement guidance)

Experimental & adjunctive therapies (currently under study)

Some emerging areas of research include:

• Immunomodulatory therapy (targeting autoimmune-like mechanisms)

• Mitochondrial support nutrients (CoQ10, alpha-lipoic acid, L-carnitine)

• Low-level laser therapy for pain

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — mixed evidence, still experimental

• Herbal protocols (Japanese knotweed, cat’s claw, andrographis) — some lab evidence but limited clinical proof

Alternative / complementary treatment of Lyme disease

You must always consult with a medical physician if you suspect you have been bitten by a tick.

Alternative and complementary remedies will help to support your recovery before and after antibiotic treatment. These recommendations focus on reducing inflammation, supporting the immune system, rebuilding gut health and restoring energy.

Anti-inflammatory foods

Inflammation is a big part of Lyme’s symptoms (joint pain, fatigue, brain fog).
Eat plenty of:

• Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, trout) – rich in omega-3s

• Olive oil, avocado, and flaxseed oil – healthy fats that calm inflammation

• Turmeric, ginger, garlic, and onions – natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects

• Berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries) – high in antioxidants

• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, rocket, broccoli) – rich in vitamins C and K

Immune-boosting foods

Helps the body fight infection and repair tissues:

• Citrus fruits, all berries, kiwi fruit, capsicum, broccoli – naturally high in vitamin C

• Mushrooms (especially shiitake, maitake, reishi) – contain beta-glucans that modulate immune function

• Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, seafood – good zinc sources

• Bone broth – rich in collagen and minerals for joint and gut repair

• Green tea – high in catechins (a type of antioxidant flavonoid) which boosts liver detoxification and helps immunity

Gut-healing and detox-supportive foods

Antibiotics can disrupt gut flora, so gut repair is crucial:

• Fermented foods: yoghurt (with live cultures), kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso

• Prebiotic fibres: garlic, leeks, onions, asparagus, bananas

• Cruciferous veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage – support liver detox

• Lemon water, herbal teas (dandelion, nettle, milk thistle) – aid liver and lymphatic function

Energy-restoring foods

Lyme can cause chronic fatigue, so energy-rich nutrients help:

• Whole grains: quinoa, brown rice, oats – steady energy release

• Lean proteins: eggs, poultry, tofu, legumes – rebuild muscle

• Magnesium-rich foods: dark chocolate (85%), nuts, spinach, pumpkin seeds – support nerve and muscle function

Supplements that may help (evidence-informed)

Typical supplement ranges are general wellness doses. Individual needs vary. Always consult a medical professional to ensure you get the right dose for your specific circumstances, especially if you’re on antibiotics or other medications.

Probiotics

• multi-strain with lactobacillus + bifidobacterium
• to help rebuild gut flora after antibiotics
• 10–50 billion CFU/day

Vitamin C

• immune and tissue repair
• 500–2000 mg/day

Vitamin D3

• immune balance
• mood stabilising
• bone strength
• 1000–2000 IU/day (test your vitamin D levels first before taking higher doses as you may not need it)

Zinc

• wound healing
• immune defence
• the best and most readily absorbed forms are zinc amino acid chelate, zinc picolinate, zinc citrate, zinc gluconate
• 15–30 mg/day

Magnesium

• Reduces muscle pain, improves sleep
• the best formats are magnesium glycinate or magnesium citrate as they are more readily absorbed by the body
• 200–400 mg/day

Omega-3 essential fatty acids

• anti-inflammatory
• supports joints and brain
• omega 3 essential fatty acids can come from fish or vegan (chia, flaxseed, walnuts, hemp seeds, edamame, seaweed and algae, leafy green vegetables, flaxseed oil)
• 1000–3000 mg/day EPA/DHA

CoQ10

• the most easily absorbed form is ubiquinol
• increases cellular energy
• reduces fatigue
• 100–200 mg/day

Alpha-lipoic acid

• helps with nerve repair
• antioxidant properties
• 300–600 mg/day

Curcumin (turmeric extract)

• anti-inflammatory properties
• antioxidant
• 500–1000 mg twice daily

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)

• liver detox
• antioxidant support
• 600–1200 mg/day

Resveratrol or quercetin

• anti-inflammatory properties
• antimicrobial effect
• 250–500 mg/day

Evening primrose oil

• reduces inflammation in the body
• may help with nerve pain
• supports heart health
• 2-6 grams a day for 3-12 months

Lyme disease self care

Lifestyle tips to support healing

These tips will support your body to heal.

• Get adequate rest and gentle movement (yoga, walking, stretching)

• Spend time in sunlight (supports vitamin D and mood)

• Avoid refined sugar, processed foods, and alcohol – they worsen inflammation and feed bad gut bacteria

• Stay hydrated – flush out toxins

• Manage stress (meditation, breathing, journaling), as stress suppresses immune healing

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• Last reviewed and updated: 4 November 2025