Beyond the Bullseye: 13 Lesser-Known Warning Signs of Tick-Borne Illness
13. Unexplained Hair Thinning: Locks in Distress

Noticeable hair thinning or an unusual increase in hair shedding (telogen effluvium) occurring a few months after a potential tick bite or unexplained illness can be a delayed sign. Severe systemic stress from an infection can prematurely push hair follicles into the resting phase, leading to diffuse shedding. While many factors cause hair loss, if it coincides with a period where you experienced other puzzling symptoms, it might be a piece of the larger tick-borne illness puzzle, reflecting your body's earlier battle.