When is Lyme disease considered chronic?

Lyme disease is considered chronic if you have been infected with the disease for more than a year. In this stage, all symptoms persist, and the complaints sometimes even get worse.

Characteristics of chronic Lyme disease

If Lyme disease is in a chronic stage, it can cause problems with the nervous system. A brain disorder, known as chronic encephalopathy, may also develop. Symptoms associated with this include mood swings, irritability, anger outbursts, memory problems, concentration reduction, severe headaches, and sleep disorders. Additionally, psychiatric problems may arise, such as complaints similar to those seen in personality changes, ADHD, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and psychiatric disorders. Problems resembling Parkinson’s disease, MS, dementia, and ALS may also occur.

Acrodermatitis Chronica Atrophicans (ACA) is a skin condition that can also occur in chronic Lyme disease. The skin becomes red-purple, usually on the foot or hand. Often, patches of skin appear on the body where the skin becomes very thin. This can be accompanied by pigmentation, wrinkling, and redness.

Treatment of chronic Lyme disease

If the disease has become chronic, Lyme is very difficult to combat. Chronic Lyme disease usually requires treatment with high doses of antibiotics for an average of six to twelve months.