Heroin Effects to the Skin
Heroin, a dangerous opiate derived from the drug morphine, is a highly addictive drug. Used to achieve a euphoric feeling, heroin users also experience severe and potentially fatal reactions to the drug. A user's physical body is also adversely affected by the drug, with changes to the skin, like dryness and itching, scarring (when injected) and abscesses.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Dry/ Itchy Skin
Heroin can cause a host of physical changes to occur within the body. Physical changes to the skin include a loss of skin moisture, resulting in itchy, dry skin. Moisture loss can be caused by dehydration or lack of adequate nutrition, which is a result of another side effect of heroin use--loss of appetite.
Skin Bruising
Effects of Drug Abuse on the Body
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Essential vitamins and minerals in the body, especially vitamin C, are needed to nourish the skin and supply it with ample collagen for elasticity and resilience. When heroin addicts lose their desire for food, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies result, which can affect the hair and skin. In addition, addicts who eat little or lack fluids may have multiple bruises on their bodies.
Scarring
Many chronic users inject heroin, as the greatest high can be experienced with intravenous use. When the drug is injected, skin changes like scarring along injection sites may occur. These scars are called "tracks," signaling drug abuse. Many addicts inject the drug several times daily, as tolerance to the drug increases, requiring the user to take more of the drug to experience the same high. This increases the scarring and may also result in collapsed veins.
- Many chronic users inject heroin, as the greatest high can be experienced with intravenous use.
Abscess
What Are the Effects on the Skin for Cocaine Users?
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Abscesses or boils can appear on the skin with frequent heroin use. An abscess is an infection of the skin, occurring deep within 3. Initially the skin appears red and tender; however, in time the area becomes hard and firm to the touch. When the center of the abscess softens, puss fills the wound. When a head forms, the abscess is typically drained or surgically opened.
- Abscesses or boils can appear on the skin with frequent heroin use.
- When a head forms, the abscess is typically drained or surgically opened.
Related Articles
References
- Heroin Effects/ American Council for Drug Education
- Heroin Effects/ National Institute of Drug Abuse
- The Mayo Clinic/ Skin Abscess (Boil)
- Jones CM, Logan J, Gladden RM, Bohm MK. Demographic and Substance Use Trends Among Heroin Users — United States, 2002–2013. MMWR 2015; 64(26):719-725.
- Muhuri, PK, Gfoerer, JC, & Davies, MC. Associations of Nonmedical Pain Reliever Use and Initiation of Heroin Use in the United States. CBHSQ Data Review. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); 2013.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Heroin." Drugs of Abuse. May 2016
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. "Heroin." DrugFacts. April 2014
- U.S. National Library of Medicine. "Heroin." Health Topics. 2016
Writer Bio
A health-care professional for more than 10 years, Rica Lewis has obtained numerous certifications in the industry. In 2006 she began channeling her knowledge into health-related articles for print and online publications. Her work has appeared in "Metroparent Magazine," "Anew Heart Healthcare Magazine" and community newspapers. Lewis earned a diploma from LongRidge Writers Institute.