Introduction
Drug addiction may be suspected or diagnosed on the basis of skin findings alone. The astute dermatologist may recognize cutaneous patterns, and characteristic skin changes, including burns, scars, or other reaction patterns, suggesting illicit drug use and offer a point for patient intervention. The common stigmata of illicit drug use can indicate a predisposition of patients to characteristic inflammatory skin conditions, as most cutaneous manifestations of drug abuse are lesions that may occur in other conditions.
Cocaine
Cocaine is a potent vasoconstrictor and can produce tissue ischemia, especially if extravasated into the subcutaneous tissue. It ...