Why “Meth Scabs” Occur: Understanding the Effects of Meth on the Body

There are so many reasons why the highly addictive stimulant methamphetamine is a dangerous, life-changing substance. Whether it’s smoked or injected, this drug causes immediate health consequences like paranoia and anxiety, rapid or irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, organ damage, meth scabs, and the risk of a fatal overdose.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, long-term health effects include things like mental health problems such as confusion, mood disturbances, and psychosis, as well as impact on how the person thinks and responds to things. Meth users have a high risk of bacterial infections because of sharing injection supplies, as well as a higher risk of contracting HIV or viral hepatitis.

They’re also prone to strokes or heart failure, “meth mouth” marked by rapid tooth loss and dental damage, and other significant problems. Meth scabs are one of the most outwardly visible signs of meth addiction, indicating an obvious sign that something is wrong.

Before we explain why these scabs or sores occur and what they look like, it’s important to keep in mind that while methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug, relapse is quite likely when someone tries to quit alone. Professional help is available to overcome meth addiction once and for all.

Meth addiction treatment centers in California, like Resurgence Behavioral Health, can provide the support, medication management, therapy, and other services that a meth addict needs to quit using this dangerous and destructive drug and achieve long-lasting recovery. Freedom from meth addiction is possible—with the right help.

What Do Meth Scabs Look Like?

Among the signs of meth addiction in California, the things that other people will likely notice first are the rapid changes in the user’s physical appearance. In addition to “meth mouth,” or highly damaged dental health, gum disease, and rapid tooth decay and loss, others will probably start to see meth scabs or sores on the person’s skin.

So, what causes meth scabs, and what do they look like?

These lesions often happen because the person is picking at their skin. One side effect of meth is the sensation of “meth mites” or bugs crawling on their skin, as well as itchiness in general. Combined with the stimulant effects of the drug, this can make users prone to pick at and dig in their skin frequently.

These open sores don’t get a chance to heal, making them prone to infections that only worsen things. They might look like severe acne or even infected open wounds, often dramatically altering the appearance of the person’s face, arms, or legs. In addition to the itchiness caused by meth, many users are prone to psychosis that causes overwhelming sensations of these “meth mites” that they can’t help but itch and pick at these imaginary bugs.

Another problem is the drug can significantly weaken the body’s immune system, making users even more prone to infections and illnesses. Some research suggests the drug also causes a loss of the skin barrier’s natural protective function. All these factors, combined with the fact that someone addicted to meth will probably not be keeping up with basic hygiene, scabs, infections, and sores, are very likely.

Why Does Methamphetamine Cause Skin Picking and Scratching?

Meth tends to cause skin picking and scratching because of the effects of this stimulant on the person’s brain and cognition, as well as mental health effects. Psychosis and paranoia are common, and one frequent way this plays out is the user will have the overwhelming sensation of “meth mites” or imaginary bugs crawling on them. They can’t help but pick at and scratch these itchy, imaginary bugs.

Meth also causes extreme itchiness in general. Combined together, meth users will often struggle to stop itching and picking at their face, arms, legs, and skin, and this is what leads to the disturbing and highly noticeable phenomenon of meth sores or scabs.

How Do “Meth Scabs” Relate to the Brain’s Reward System?

Meth scabs are just an outward sign of meth addiction and abuse, but the causes are happening inside the user’s body. Methamphetamine is highly addictive because of the effects it has on dopamine in the brain and nervous system, amping up the level of dopamine. That’s why users feel intense rushes of euphoria when they smoke or inject the drug.

One study found even people who had never used meth before experienced “mind-racing” from their first exposure to the drug, and brain scans showed the drug activated the brain’s reward system, making them feel intense feelings of pleasure, energy, and euphoria. Because of these feelings, people who use meth even just once or twice are prone to become addicted, seeking more of the drug to feel these intense feelings once again.

Over time, meth use can damage and change the brain’s circuitry, making people unable to feel “normal” or good without the drug, and this will also lead them to most likely seek out the drug again and again so they can feel good once again.

Can Skin Damage Caused by Meth Be Reversed?

Meth scabs and sores, as well as skin infections and problems, won’t go away if the person continues to pick and scratch at these sores and not follow proper hygiene practices. The lesions will likely just worsen until medical treatment is necessary.

While it’s not always possible to completely heal everything damaged by meth, and scars are likely, the good news is that scabs, sores, and skin damage will finally get a chance to recover and lessen considerably once the person stops scratching at the sores and that will require them to quit using the drug.

Once they’re off meth, they won’t feel the overwhelming need to scratch anymore, and this will give the skin a chance to heal and clear up. Overcoming meth addiction and seeking professional medical treatment for skin infections and issues are the only ways for this scary condition to go away and improve considerably.

Call Resurgence for Help If You’re Dealing With Meth Scabs

If you or a loved one is suffering from meth scabs, skin infections, paranoia, and other health problems because of the consequences of methamphetamine, you need professional help. Resurgence Behavioral Health is a leading provider of effective drug addiction treatment in California that can help you overcome the use of drugs and achieve happiness and health in long-lasting recovery.

Things won’t get better if you continue to use meth, and meth addiction is, tragically, all too often a direct path to overdoses, destruction, and even death. That’s why reaching out to professionals and getting the help you need today is important.

Call us at 855-458-0050, and let’s start on the road to recovery. You can get better, and we can help.

External Sources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse – Methamphetamine
• Medical News Today – What to Know About Meth and Face Sores
• Nature.com – Methamphetamine Activates Reward Circuitry in Drug Naive Human Subjects

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial