Justin Bieber Has Lyme Disease: What Is It, What Are The Symptoms, And Can It Be Cured?

Canadian singer Justin Bieber recently belied speculations that he’s on meth, opening up about the real reason people say he looks like s**t these days. On Wednesday, Bieber took to Instagram to let his fans know what he’s been through these past couple of years and to reveal his ongoing battle with Lyme disease.

Bieber’s appearance has been the talk of the town lately, especially on social media, where the singer has been receiving lots of criticism over his appearance. Just recently, a photo of him looking unwell with blotches on his skin made the rounds online, leading to speculations that he’s on drugs. While Justin Bieber has always been aware of social media speculation that he has a drug problem, he’s now ready to put down his critics with the cold hard truth.

Slamming trolls on Wednesday, Bieber revealed on his Instagram that he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease, a disease that affects his skin, energy, brain function, and overall health. He also revealed struggling with “mono,” another disease caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. “While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like s**t, on meth, etc., they failed to realize I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin, brain function, energy, and overall health,” he wrote.

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is an illness caused by a bacteria transmitted to humans through tick bites. This disease cannot be passed on from person to person and affects about 13% of people in the U.K. The New Forest and the Scottish Highlands are known to be Lyme disease hotspots, but this disease can exist wherever there is long grass.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of Lyme disease vary from one person to another, but they include the bulls-eye rash, fatigue, and fever. Most patients also experience severe headache and a type of skin rash called erythema migrans. These symptoms usually develop three weeks after a tick bite.

Can it be cured?

Majority of people who take the full three-week course of antibiotics for Lyme make a full recovery. However, there are a few whose symptoms last for years. As of this time, there is no agreed treatment for the disease but those who think they have been infected with it are advised to speak to a doctor to minimize the symptoms.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear exactly when or where the male singer contracted this disease, but he’s not the first celebrity to have caught this type of infection. Previously, Bella Hadid, Shania Twain, and Avril Lavigne also revealed struggling with the disease.

Bieber is set to open up about his battle with Lyme disease and mono in his new 10-part documentary series, which is scheduled for release on Jan. 27 on YouTube.