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Bella Hadid, her brother Anwar, and their mother Yolanda have all been affected by Lyme disease, a bacterial infection spread by ticks. Bella recently shared photos from her hospital bed, raising concern among fans.
Lyme disease affects around 400,000 people each year in the U.S. and 3,000–4,000 in the U.K., though the real numbers may be higher. Early symptoms can include a circular or oval rash around the tick bite, and the disease is easier to treat if caught early.
Bella has been open about her struggles since being diagnosed in 2012. She has described the pain as so severe that even daily tasks, like taking a shower or making breakfast, can feel like achievements. Yolanda has also shared how heartbreaking it is to watch Bella suffer, calling it an “invisible disability” and describing her own emotional pain.
Dr. Raphael Kellman explained that it’s not unusual for multiple family members to have Lyme disease, even though it’s not genetic. He said shared environments and unhealthy gut bacteria, or microbiomes, could make family members more susceptible. Chronic Lyme can also be complicated by other underlying conditions, some of which may be genetic, like low thyroid function.