With excessive abuse of Meth, obsession with the skin and picking at it is extremely common. The sensation of formication is caused by severe dehydration, the lack of sebaceous oil and chemical imbalance that Meth induces.
Methamphetamine causes you to sweat excessively which induces dehydration and strips the skin of the natural levels of sebaceous oil. Meth addicts will use their fingernails or any instruments that are small and sharp to pick and dig obsessively at Meth mites, causing open wounds and sores that will often bleed and produce pus. In this state, Meth addicts will itch and scratch, as well as pick and dig at their skin. Due to the psychological delusion that is caused by chronic Meth abuse, many Meth users develop delusional parasitosis and believe that there are actual Meth mites crawling on them or under their skin.Īs Methamphetamine can cause hallucinations, it is common for hallucinations of insects to accompany formication which only furthers the delusion. Methamphetamine is a neurotoxic substance, meaning it poisons the brain and the rest of the nervous system, damaging and killing tissues that are precious to the overall function of the body and mind. While there are other drugs which can induce formication, chronic Meth use is more likely the cause of Meth mites and the Meth sores left behind. There are several causes of formication, including the abuse of Meth or Crack Cocaine. It is often experienced as a prickly, itchy, or tickling sensation. Formication – Meth Mites Crawling Under The Skinįormication is the official term for the sensation of insects or Meth mites crawling on or underneath the skin. Meth Sores – The 3 Contributing Factors to Meth Sores 1. Some of the Meth sores may be infected and swollen, possibly causing abscesses that need medical treatment, or there may be scarring from past sores. Some of the more heavy, chronic Meth users will have several Meth sores all over their skin, usually on their faces and arms. It also affects the musculature and other things that change one’s physical appearance, such as their teeth (Meth mouth) and their skin (Meth sores). Meth affects the function of important organs like the brain, the heart, and kidneys, in addition to causing psychological issues. Methamphetamine use is damaging to a person’s physical and mental health in many ways. What Causes Meth Mites, Meth Bugs and Sores? What Are The Symptoms? Some meth sores can be treated with disinfectants, but sores that become infected will likely require medical treatment. In addition to being unappealing to look at, meth sores can cause health problems if they become infected. In general, those who abuse meth more frequently or for longer periods are likely to exhibit more sores than others. Meth sores and scabs are hallmarks signs of meth abuse or addiction. The answer to this is multifaceted, but chronic Meth abuse can cause acne along with other skin issues. People often ask if using Meth can cause acne, due to the poor skin condition they observe in Meth addicts. Some people believe that Meth sores are somehow contagious, like Chicken Pox or Shingles, which they are not. So, what does Meth do to your skin? The reality is that the psychological impairment caused by a chronic Meth addiction is largely responsible for the skin damage though there are also physical effects of the drug that contribute as well. Not all Meth addicts will experience Meth sores or Meth mites and there is no timeline that predicts at what point in a Meth addict’s addiction when they are more susceptible to the hallucinations. Meth mites are hallucinations brought on by long-term, chronic Meth abuse.
Other Names for Meth Mites: Meth sores, Meth Bugs, Crank Bugs, Ice Mites. While meth sores itself isn’t life threatening, the resulting infections from the bugs have lead to amputations and serious health issue.
Co-Occurring / Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs.60 Days (Two Months) Addiction Treatment Program.