A Long Battle Began With a Tick Bite

When Ally Hilfiger, daughter of renowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, was bitten by a tick as a child, it triggered a prolonged and challenging fight against Lyme disease.
This bacterial infection can cause a variety of symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite, often marked by the distinctive red bull's-eye rash.

Speaking with Health, Hilfiger shared her journey through symptoms, years of misdiagnoses, and the healing tools she relied on to regain her wellness—a journey she also documented in her memoir, Bite Me.

 

Early Signs and Initial Diagnosis

At just seven years old, Ally remembers being bitten and her parents sending the tick for testing.
However, the results were inconclusive, leaving the infection to develop unnoticed.

Although she didn’t immediately recall a clear bull's-eye rash, she experienced:

  • Difficulty reading

  • Light sensitivity

  • Neurological symptoms

  • Joint pain

  • Persistent nausea

These early symptoms pointed to Lyme disease, but unfortunately, the condition went unrecognized for years.

 

Years of Misdiagnoses

For a decade, Hilfiger consulted numerous doctors and received a wide array of diagnoses, including:

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Chronic fatigue syndrome

  • Anxiety

  • Growing pains

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

This constant mislabeling of her symptoms created a frustrating and confusing experience.

 

The Emotional Strain

Beyond the physical toll, Ally described the emotional hardship of living with an invisible illness:

  • Good days followed by crippling bad days

  • A persistent feeling of disbelief—both from others and at times herself

  • A deep sense of isolation and lack of validation

Living with inconsistent symptoms made it harder for others to understand what she was truly experiencing.

 

Finally, a Correct Diagnosis

When Ally was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, she described the feeling as "winning the lottery."
For the first time, everything she had endured had an explanation—and her struggles were validated.

 

Living Well Today

Today, Hilfiger shares that while she still has good days and bad days, overall she feels strong:

  • She is able to get out of bed daily

  • She plays an active role as a mother and partner

  • She appreciates being a functioning, present human being

 

Building a Mental and Spiritual Toolbox

Hilfiger emphasized that alongside medical treatment, mental and spiritual strategies played a vital role in her healing.
Her "toolbox" includes:

  • Supportive friends and family

  • Meditation practices

  • Meditation groups

  • Essential oils

These resources helped her manage her symptoms and stay resilient.

 

Motherhood as a Source of Motivation

Becoming a mother served as a light at the end of the tunnel for Ally:

  • She focused on visualizing health and strength to prepare for motherhood

  • Today, she is the proud mother of a 13-month-old daughter

 

Lessons Passed to the Next Generation

Reflecting on her journey, Ally Hilfiger shares the most important lesson she hopes to pass to her daughter:

"I learned self-love. I want my daughter to know that she doesn’t have to be a victim. She can be a fearless warrior and survivor."