Meth Sores: Appearance, Causes, & Treatment

What are meth sores? Facial sores (meth sores) are a visible manifestation of the abuse of methamphetamine, otherwise known as crystal meth or meth. Meth facial sores typically arise due to the compulsion to scratch and pick at the skin induced by meth use, although sores from meth may also result from the toxic effects of the drug. Healing meth sores on the skin takes weeks or months, and sores from crystal meth can leave behind lasting scars without proper attention – read on to discover how to achieve this.

Meth, categorized by the DEA as a Schedule II controlled substance for its potent and addictive stimulant properties, inflicts substantial harm on both health and appearance. In the short term, meth abuse triggers elevated breathing rates, heart rates, and blood pressure. With prolonged abuse, significant weight loss, heightened paranoia, hallucinations, and mental health issues can emerge as long-term consequences, as well as meth face sores.

What Is Methamphetamine (Meth)?

Meth (Methamphetamine) is a highly addictive, Schedule II stimulant that affects the central nervous system (CNS). This illicit substance is most commonly found in the form of a white, odorless powder that tastes bitter and dissolves quickly in water. 

More and more, street-sold methamphetamines are cut with dangerous fillers such as fentanyl to make them cheaper to produce. This causes extreme physical duress and disease, overdose, and even death.

What Are Meth Sores?

Meth sores are painful, open wounds that occur on the surface of chronic meth users’ skin. These lesions can develop due to a number of factors, including poor personal hygiene, skin picking at meth-induced irritants (“crank bugs”), and poor circulation/skin health. Meth also causes a weakened immune system which makes the user more prone to infections and longer healing times.

What Do Meth Sores Look Like?

Methamphetamine use can lead to the development of distinctive sores on the skin, especially on the face and arms. These sores are referred to as meth sores or crank bugs. They stem from a combination of factors, including the drug’s impact on the skin, compulsive scratching and picking, and impaired wound healing due to the drug’s effects. Here is what meth sores typically look like:

• • Appearance: Meth sores can vary in appearance but are often characterized by red, inflamed, and sometimes raised areas on the skin. They may resemble small, open wounds or scabs.

• • Crusting and scabbing: The sores can form crusts or scabs, particularly if the individual scratches or picks at them. This can further delay the healing process and increase the risk of infection.

• • Pain and discomfort: Meth mouth sores and face sores can cause pain, itching, and discomfort. The urge to scratch or pick at them can intensify the irritation and contribute to the development of more sores.

• • Location: Meth sores are commonly found on the face, especially around the mouth and on the arms. These areas are more accessible and likely to be affected by scratching.

• • Healing and scarring: If left untreated, meth sores on face can take weeks or even months to heal. As they heal, they may leave behind scars or hyperpigmented areas on the skin.

Meth sores face are a visible sign of deeper physical and psychological issues related to methamphetamine use. These sores may indicate a problematic pattern of behavior and potential health risks. Seeking professional help for both the addiction and the physical consequences is crucial for those caught in the cycle of methamphetamine use and its associated effects. Why does meth cause sores, then?

What Causes Meth Sores?

Meth-induced facial sores frequently arise from the compulsive skin-picking behaviors that often accompany meth use, contributing to the development of open sores that can be vulnerable to infection.

Methamphetamine is also a water-soluble substance, leading people who use the drug to excrete meth toxins through their pores via sweat. Research indicates that meth can be detected in sweat as soon as two hours after use, with traces persisting for over a week after repeated doses. The presence of meth toxins in sweat can lead to skin damage and the formation of sores.

Timeline and Progression of Meth Sores

Meth sores typically begin when a chronic meth user gets a cut, skin lesion, or begins picking at their skin. These types of minor injuries to the skin can be common in meth users as a side effect of both the drug’s toll on the immune system and the mind. 

While a normal abrasion on the skin may clear within a few days to a week, sores acquired during meth use can take much longer to heal due to meth’s suppressant effects on the immune system. At this point, the sore is considered a chronic wound and can take as long as 4-12 weeks to heal. 

There is also a higher risk of MRSA (antibiotic-resistant staph infection) developing in these types of wounds. With medical intervention, MRSA can take up to several months to heal. Without treatment, MRSA can result in sepsis, which can be deadly and cause necrosis (death) of limbs or other body parts. 

Meth Sores Treatment

Addressing meth sores involves a multifaceted approach that focuses on both wound care and the underlying causes related to methamphetamine use. Here are some key considerations for treating meth sores:

Wound care

• Cleanliness: Maintaining proper hygiene around meth sores helps prevent infection. Gently clean the affected areas with mild soap and water.
• Avoid picking: Discourage picking at the sores, as it can further aggravate the skin and delay healing. Covering the sores with sterile dressings can help prevent picking.
• Topical treatments: Applying over-the-counter antibiotic ointments can help prevent infection and promote healing. That said, consult a healthcare provider before using any products on open sores.

Professional medical care

• Infection management: If a meth sore becomes infected, seek medical attention promptly. Infections can lead to serious complications and may require antibiotics.
• Wound assessment: A healthcare provider can assess the severity of the sores, provide recommendations for care, and monitor the healing process.
• Prevention of scarring: Medical interventions, such as silicone-based scar sheets or gels, may help minimize scarring as the sores heal.

Addressing methamphetamine use

• Addiction treatment: Treating the underlying addiction is essential to break the cycle of compulsive skin-picking and methamphetamine use. Seek help from addiction specialists, therapists, or support groups.
• Professional support: A healthcare provider, therapist, or counselor can assist in developing a comprehensive plan to address methamphetamine use and its associated behaviors.
• Rehab: In severe cases of methamphetamine addiction, inpatient or outpatient rehab programs can provide structured support for individuals seeking to overcome their addiction.

Psychological support

• Behavioral therapies: CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) can help individuals learn healthier coping mechanisms to manage the urge to pick at their skin.
• Support groups: Connecting with others who have experienced similar struggles can provide valuable support and understanding.

Meth sores treatment involves not only addressing the physical wounds but also tackling the underlying addiction and behavioral patterns. Seeking professional help will streamline effective healing, both physically and emotionally.

Meth Sores | FAQs

What are meth sores?

Meth sores, often referred to as “meth mites” or “crank bugs,” are skin lesions that develop due to methamphetamine use. They are usually caused by intense scratching or picking at the skin, as meth users often experience hallucinations of bugs crawling under their skin (a condition known as formication).

What causes meth sores?

Meth sores result from several factors:

• Formication: Meth users may feel sensations of bugs under their skin, leading them to scratch or pick at it.
• Dehydration and Poor Hygiene: Meth dehydrates the body, leaving the skin dry and more prone to breaking. Poor hygiene during meth use also contributes to infections.
• Weakened Immune System: Chronic meth use weakens the immune system, making it harder for wounds to heal.

Where do meth sores typically appear?

Meth sores commonly appear on the face, arms, and legs, but they can develop anywhere on the body. Facial sores are especially common, often worsened by the user’s scratching and picking.

Do meth sores go away?

Meth sores can heal if meth use stops and proper care is taken to treat the skin. Without continued scratching or drug use, mild sores may fade over time, but severe sores can leave scars.