What Is Raynaud's Disease And Why Is It Common With Lyme Disease?

Have you ever come across an illness when your fingers and toes turn white, then blue, then red, all in a matter of minutes? That's Raynaud's disease, where blood vessels spasm, restricting blood flow and causing tingling, pain, and discoloration. While usually harmless, it can be strangely linked to Lyme disease, a tick-borne infection with a wide range of symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, and even rashes.

So, why do these seemingly unrelated conditions appear together so often? Is it just a coincidence, or is there a deeper connection lurking beneath the surface? That's the puzzling phenomenon that this article will reveal to you. Moreover, it will tell you all about the relation between Raynaud's and Lyme disease, and explore the potential threads that bind them.

What is Raynaud's Disease?

Raynaud's syndrome, pronounced as ray-nodes, is a condition that impacts the small blood vessels in your fingers and toes, and in some cases, it can affect vessels in your nose, lips, or ear lobes. This disorder leads to episodic spasms, known as vasospastic attacks, triggered by exposure to cold temperatures or stress.

During a Raynaud's attack, the arterioles and capillaries in your fingers and toes constrict more than normal. This excessive constriction causes the affected area's skin to turn white and then blue due to reduced oxygen in the blood.

Additionally, you may experience sensations of coldness or numbness in the affected area. As the blood vessels gradually relax and reopen, the skin may regain its normal color, accompanied by a tingling sensation. Typically, an attack lasts for about 15 minutes.

Symptoms of Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud's disease manifests through changes in skin color and temperature, often triggered by cold or stress. While the fingers and toes are commonly affected, other areas like the ears, nose, and nipples can also experience these symptoms. During an attack, the affected areas first turn white due to reduced blood flow, followed by a bluish hue due to oxygen depletion.

Upon rewarming, they may become red, accompanied by throbbing or tingling. The affected areas feel cold to the touch, and numbness can occur due to nerve stimulation loss. Some may also experience pain or swelling. It's essential to note that the severity and frequency of these symptoms can vary, and not everyone experiencing them necessarily has Raynaud's disease, as other underlying conditions can cause similar effects.

Types of Raynaud's Disease 

There are two primary types of Raynaud's:

Primary Raynaud's

This is the most common form and occurs without any other underlying medical conditions. It can be mild and may not require treatment, sometimes resolving on its own.

Secondary Raynaud's

This form is associated with other health conditions. While less common, it tends to be more severe and is usually seen in individuals over 40 years old.

Causes of Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud's disease can be associated with various underlying conditions and risk factors. Connective tissue diseases like scleroderma, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren's syndrome are known to increase the likelihood of developing Raynaud's. Additionally, arterial diseases such as atherosclerosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension can lead to secondary Raynaud's by affecting the blood flow to the extremities.

Pressure on the major nerve to the hand, as seen in carpal tunnel syndrome, can cause heightened sensitivity to cold, potentially triggering Raynaud's attacks. Prolonged repetitive actions or exposure to vibrations, common in activities like typing or using vibrating tools, can lead to overuse injuries that may contribute to the development of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Smoking is another factor that can narrow blood vessels, increasing the risk of Raynaud's. Furthermore, injuries to the hands or feet, such as fractures, surgeries, or frostbite, can be triggers for Raynaud's attacks. Certain medications, including beta blockers, migraine medications, ADHD medications, certain cancer drugs, and some cold medications, have been associated with inducing Raynaud's symptoms.

Who does Raynaud’s syndrome affect?

Primary Raynaud’s syndrome primarily affects individuals who are assigned female at birth, those under the age of 30 often starting during their teenage years, and those with a family history of Raynaud’s disease.

In contrast, Secondary Raynaud’s syndrome is more commonly found in people who have another underlying disease or condition. This secondary form can also occur in individuals with occupations that involve repetitive pressure on their hands. Notably, about 9 out of 10 individuals with scleroderma experience Raynaud’s phenomenon, which may be the only symptom of scleroderma for many years in some cases.

Approximately 1 in 3 individuals with lupus have Raynaud’s phenomenon. People with autoimmune conditions, particularly connective tissue diseases, are at a higher risk of developing Raynaud’s. Furthermore, individuals who use vibrating hand tools like jackhammers or chain saws, as well as pianists and keyboard operators, are also more susceptible to Raynaud’s phenomenon.

How Raynaud’s syndrome is linked with Lyme disease?

While both Raynaud's syndrome and Lyme disease can impact circulation and share certain symptoms, there is no definitive evidence linking them directly. Raynaud's syndrome primarily affects the blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, or nose, causing them to turn white, then blue, and eventually red as blood flow returns. It can be categorized as either primary, without an underlying cause, or secondary, caused by another condition such as autoimmune diseases like lupus or scleroderma.

On the other hand, Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection transmitted through tick bites and can affect various bodily systems, including the skin, joints, nervous system, and heart. While some rare cases of Lyme disease have shown symptoms similar to Raynaud's, the connection between the two conditions remains unclear and requires further research for a definitive understanding.

Raynaud's disease is more commonly associated with autoimmune diseases, connective tissue disorders, and vascular conditions such as atherosclerosis and thromboangiitis obliterans. However, there have been some anecdotal reports of individuals experiencing both Raynaud's disease and Lyme disease.

A study published in The Lancet mentioned the coexistence of Lyme disease and Raynaud's syndrome, and a case report discussed a 35-year-old woman with both Lyme disease and systemic lupus erythematosus.  However, these instances do not prove a causal link between the two conditions.

Lyme disease could potentially trigger autoimmune diseases, which may contribute to the development of Raynaud's disease. However, more research is needed to establish a direct causal link between Lyme disease and Raynaud's disease.

Final Words

The connection between Raynaud's syndrome and Lyme disease is not fully understood, and while there may be some overlap, a direct link has not been clearly established. Theoretically, Lyme disease could cause symptoms similar to Raynaud's syndrome due to inflammation and vasculitis. However, more research is needed to confirm any potential connection. If someone experiences symptoms of both Raynaud's syndrome and Lyme disease, it's important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.