“Meth mites” is a widely recognized term describing a phenomenon associated with methamphetamine use, though it is a misnomer. These “mites” are not actual insects; they are the result of a drug-induced tactile hallucination, a form of psychosis. This sensation, medically known as formication, convinces the person that bugs are crawling on or burrowing beneath their skin. The attempt to remove these imaginary pests leads to visible and often severe physical consequences, which are a serious sign of prolonged methamphetamine abuse.
The Sensory Experience: Understanding Formication
Formication is the physical feeling of insects crawling or biting that occurs without any external stimulus. For those using methamphetamine, the sensation is described as intense itching, tingling, or the perception of movement just under the skin’s surface. This experience is profoundly distressing, driving a compulsive urge to scratch and pick at the affected areas.
The brain misinterprets normal sensory input, or perhaps even subtle shifts in blood flow, as the movement of small creatures. This tactile hallucination is so convincing that the person becomes certain of the infestation. Because the feeling is felt deep within the skin, the person is often compelled to “dig out” the unseen parasites to find relief. This action is the origin of the visible skin damage that family members or friends may observe.
The Visual Answer: What the Skin Looks Like
What people actually see are the self-inflicted wounds caused by the attempt to remove the imaginary mites. The skin of a chronic methamphetamine user becomes covered in excoriation marks, which are scratches, scrapes, and open sores. These lesions are created by aggressive scratching, digging with fingernails, or using tools to pick at the skin in an effort to stop the crawling sensation.
The wounds typically appear as small to medium-sized circular sores, often with red, inflamed borders and scabs in various stages of healing. They are most commonly found on easily accessible areas like the face, arms, chest, and hands, sometimes resulting in a pockmarked appearance. Repeated picking prevents healing, and the lack of proper hygiene and nutrition increases the risk of secondary infections, such as cellulitis or abscesses. These infected sores can lead to permanent scarring, sometimes referred to as “meth face.”
Why Methamphetamine Causes This Reaction
The tactile hallucination of formication is a symptom of methamphetamine-induced psychosis, a condition linked to the drug’s effect on the central nervous system. Methamphetamine significantly increases the release of neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine, while also blocking their reuptake. This surge overstimulates the brain’s reward and sensory systems, leading to a distorted perception of reality.
The overabundance of dopamine disrupts normal brain function, manifesting as paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations, including the tactile sensation of bugs. Severe sleep deprivation, often associated with methamphetamine binge use, further exacerbates susceptibility to psychosis. The drug also constricts blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin and potentially causing abnormal sensations that the overstimulated brain interprets as crawling insects.
Treating and Managing Skin Damage and Delusions
Addressing the physical damage requires immediate medical attention, especially for open wounds that are prone to infection. Skin lesions are managed with proper wound care, including cleaning, dressing, and the prescription of topical or systemic antibiotics to treat bacterial infections. A weakened immune system and poor nutrition often hinder the body’s natural healing process.
The long-term management of formication and the associated skin damage must center on treating the underlying substance use disorder. The psychotic symptoms, including the delusion of meth mites, usually resolve once the methamphetamine is cleared from the system and the person is stabilized. Short-term use of antipsychotic medication may be necessary to manage severe delusions and paranoia during the initial withdrawal and stabilization phase. Comprehensive treatment involves addressing the addiction through behavioral therapies and restoring the person’s overall physical health and nutrition.