Lyme disease has raised questions among members of MyPsoriasisTeam: “Did anyone else have Lyme disease and get worse symptoms afterward?” asked one member. Since other infections are known to trigger psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), it’s reasonable to wonder whether Lyme disease might contribute to psoriatic disease or trigger flare-ups.

“My PsA was very mild and undiagnosed (had Sjögren’s and RA diagnoses only) until a few months after Lyme,” another member said.

In this article, we’ll cover what Lyme disease is and how it’s related to psoriasis and PsA. Knowing the signs of Lyme disease and how it may affect your psoriasis can help you get treatment as soon as possible.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by a bacterium called Borrelia. Most people who are diagnosed with Lyme disease get it because they were bitten by an infected tick.

You may develop flu-like symptoms with Lyme disease, including:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Achy joints and muscles

Many people also get a rash when they have Lyme disease. If you’ve had a tick bite and begin experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. The sooner you begin treatment, the quicker your recovery will be.

If Lyme disease progresses, you may experience symptoms that affect your muscles or immune system.

Can Lyme Disease Trigger Psoriatic Arthritis?

If you’re wondering whether Lyme disease triggers psoriatic arthritis, you’re not alone. There seems to be some type of connection between Lyme disease and arthritis, but there isn’t enough research to fully understand how the two are related.

One study found that some people who were treated with antibiotics for Lyme disease later developed arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondyloarthritis. The chances of developing these conditions were highest during the first year after developing Lyme disease. Researchers don't understand what causes these conditions to develop or what other factors might be involved. For now, research on this topic is generally limited.

Can Lyme Disease Worsen Psoriasis Symptoms?

Psoriasis symptoms can be triggered by any factor that affects your immune system, including infections. Since Lyme disease can affect your immune system, it may worsen your symptoms, but more research is needed to know for sure. Triggers can vary from person to person, so if you’re concerned about flare-ups, talk to your healthcare provider.

Lyme Disease vs. Psoriasis

There are some key differences between Lyme disease and psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Here’s what you should know.

Rashes and Skin Changes

When people get a rash with Lyme disease, it often looks like a bull’s-eye or a target. It usually starts out red, purple, or brown around the bite, depending on your skin tone. Over time, the center becomes clear while the outer edge stays discolored. It might feel warm when you touch it, but it normally doesn’t hurt or itch.

Psoriasis rashes, on the other hand, tend to be patchy rather than round, and they don’t end up looking like a target. They’re also usually scaly and dry. Most of the time, they’re painful and very itchy.

Still, one rash can be mistaken for the other. MyPsoriasisTeam members have noted that skin lesions from psoriasis can be difficult to tell apart from skin affected by Lyme disease. “I got Lyme disease in April. My rash kind of made it not so obvious to me, but it wasn’t a typical Lyme disease rash,” shared one member.

Joint Symptoms

Lyme disease can have joint symptoms both early in the disease and later on. Stiff joints are common early on. If you don’t know you have Lyme disease and it progresses to a later stage of the condition, you may experience Lyme arthritis symptoms, like joint pain, stiffness, and swelling in your large joints, like your knees.

These can be similar to some symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints, most commonly of the hands and feet, are the main symptoms of PsA. It can be hard to tell the difference between PsA and arthritis from Lyme disease, but your doctor should be able to help you figure out the cause.

Diagnosing Lyme vs. Psoriasis

Lyme disease and psoriasis are diagnosed differently. If your doctor suspects you may have Lyme disease, they will usually look at all of your symptoms, then talk to you about whether you’ve had any known tick bites or been in an area where there are a lot of ticks. They can also run blood tests to see if your body is producing antibodies in response to the specific bacterium that causes Lyme.

Getting diagnosed with psoriasis usually involves an examination of your skin and maybe your scalp and nails, too. Your doctor may take a biopsy (skin sample) and send it to a lab to make sure you get the correct diagnosis.

A diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis can be harder to get. Your doctor will usually look at the joints that are affected, get images of those joints, and run lab tests (like blood tests) to determine what’s causing your arthritis symptoms. You may need to see a specialist, called a rheumatologist, to get an accurate diagnosis.

Treating Lyme Disease

You usually take medications for psoriatic disease for an extended period of time, whereas you usually stop taking medications for Lyme fairly quickly. If you’re diagnosed with Lyme disease, it’s important to stick to your treatment plan so it doesn’t progress and cause other health issues. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics for you to take for a few weeks. Make sure you take the full course so it’s effective.

One member wondered whether their antibiotic prescription would interfere with their biologic treatment. They shared, “Seems I have Lyme disease, on doxycycline, and due for my Cosentyx. Won’t know until Monday if I can take it, too.” If you develop Lyme disease while living with psoriasis or PsA, your doctor will walk you through any changes to your treatment plan.

Tips To Lower Your Risk of Lyme Disease

Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, can be found throughout the United States, but they’re more common in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper Midwest states. They tend to live in grassy or wooded areas like forests and fields. If you live in or are visiting any of these areas, be sure to take extra precautions, especially in spring and summer.

To prevent getting bitten by a tick, here are a few tips for when you’re outside in an area that may have ticks:

• Use insect repellent — Apply the insect repellent permethrin to your clothes, boots, and other gear to prevent ticks from attaching to them.
• Stick to trails and pathways — Avoid walking through areas with high grass and brush.
• Check your clothes and body — Once you’re inside, check your clothing and body for any ticks that may be attached. Then, shower within two hours of coming indoors.

Join the Conversation

On MyPsoriasisTeam, people share their experiences with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

If you’ve had psoriasis or PsA and Lyme disease, how did it affect you? Let others know in the comments below.