The NHS has issued a warning over treating an illness which appears to be widespread among celebrities.
If you see several celebrities seemingly suffering from the same disease, don't worry – they're not crazy.
Recent studies suggest that approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed with and treated for the disease each year in the United States alone.
But why target celebrities?
Justin Bieber was diagnosed in 2020. (Instagram/@justinbieber)
The latest star to publicly announce he has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection is none other than Serena Williams' husband, Alexis Ohanian, but he follows on from a long list of other stars who have done so before.
They include Yolanda Hadid, Bella Hadid, Justin Bieber, Ben Stiller, Amy Schumer, Shania Twain, Alec Baldwin, Avril Lavigne, Kelly Osbourne and Riley Keough.
The NHS is now warning people about the symptoms, and what to do if they think they are suffering.
However, we have been assured that the chances of developing severe symptoms are extremely low.
“Nothing else needs to be done unless you notice a rash or feel unwell,” the company's website states.
Infectious disease expert Professor Paul Hunter has theorised why celebrities are more susceptible to Lyme disease – the infection in question.
A rash is one of the symptoms (NHS)
Why do so many celebrities suffer from Lyme disease?
Speaking to MailOnline, he said: “If the results are biased towards the rich, famous or class, it's probably because they spend more time walking in woodland parks, or have more money to travel to those areas, or they have bigger houses in those places.”
“As you walk, ticks jump onto your legs and crawl up, sucking your blood and causing Lyme disease.
“If you are walking in these areas, it's best to check your pet for ticks when you get home and safely remove them if they do.”
According to the NHS, Lyme disease is “a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans by infected ticks”.
Bella Hadid is one of many stars to have been diagnosed with Lyme disease. (Instagram/@bellahadid)
What are the symptoms of Lyme disease?
The NHS warns that the condition is easier to treat if diagnosed early, and the first symptom is usually a “round or oval rash” around the tick bite.
Flu-like symptoms are a telltale sign that often appear days or weeks after the bite.
These include:
- High fever or feeling hot and shivering
- headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Fatigue and loss of energy
In the UK, not all ticks carry the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, so it's important not to panic straight away if you suspect you've been bitten.
However, it is important to remove it safely.
The NHS said: “Ticks which can carry Lyme disease are found throughout the UK, but areas at higher risk include grassland and woodland in southern and northern England and the Scottish Highlands.”
