Skin Disorders in Patients Using Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is a stimulant drug that associated with a broad spectrum of health conditions, include addiction, mental health disorders, and overdose. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies it as a Schedule II drug. This means that the drug has a high potential for misuse. The drug is also called crystal meth, ice, and blue.

Methamphetamine use has increased in Egypt especially in upper Egypt. Literature on cutaneous manifestations among methamphetamine users is limited, although cellulitis, delusion of parasitosis (DOP), hyperhidrosis, formication and prurigo nodularis (PN) have been attributed to methamphetamine users. While the relationship between skin lesions and substance use in not fully defined, there is some evidence that points to the development of these itchy, red lesion also known as meth sore after meth use. Meth sores often look like small round red patches on your skin, they can often be confused with acne when they appear on the face or a rash when they appear on other parts of the body.

Meth sores form as a result of heavy meth misuse. other signs of meth abuse at the stage where sores likely to develop include:

• Weight loss
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations
• Aggressive behavior
• Being easily distracted
• Tooth and gum decay
• Changes in brain structure