Methamphetamine-Induced Spontaneous Skin Lesions: A Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Methamphetamine has many systemic and psychiatric side effects. Additionally, there are some case reports of externally induced skin lesions associated with methamphetamine, such as pruritus, excoriations, and skin picking. However, spontaneous skin lesions are little known due to methamphetamine. In this case series, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the 11 patients with methamphetamine-related different kinds of spontaneous noninfectious skin lesions were examined and the cases presented in the literature to date were reviewed. Methamphetamine-induced spontaneous skin lesions are not well-known and should be misdiagnosed. These lesions usually resolve spontaneously without treatment after discontinuation of methamphetamine. Clinicians should be aware of the variety of skin lesions that may occur due to methamphetamine.