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Does Meth Usage Lead To Lesions On Arms And Shoulders?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015
Question: Help: 2 things:
1000s of black "mites" on skin appear after Permtherin.... still

Does using meth lead to appearance of many flat light brown mole like things on ones tummy legs arms etc?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly upload an image

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic.
Kindly upload any image for better evaluation.
To upload an image go to report section
or
you can also mail at YYYY@YYYY with subject line as attention Dr. Kakkar.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (42 minutes later)
Image 3 = brown things im talking about - mole like
IMage 1 = if I pick them which Ive stopped - then they scab
Image 2 - the spots on my hands and arms - smaller brown spots that have recently appeared
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Possibility of body lice infestation

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have reviewed the Images.
I have noted that the lesions are distributed on your arms, shoulders and torso. I have also noted that you have already been treated with permethrin with no improvement.
Even I would have kept my first diagnosis as scabies after looking at the Images.
My second differential diagnosis would be pediculosis corporis

Based on the history I will like to rule out a possibility of 'Pediculosis corporis' or body lice infestation. The organism usually resides in the seams of clothing. At night the lice moves out to feed on to the skin and therefore just applying permethrin 5% is not enough unless all your clothing, bedding, and towels are laundered using hot water (at least 54 °C) and machine dried using the hot cycle.

You may reapply 5% permethrin once more to the whole body, below neck with special attention to flexures like axilla, groin. Keep it over night for 8 hours and bath next day.

If I was the treating doctor I would have also suggested a moderately potent topical steroid+topical antibiotic combination ointment (e.g fluticasone propionate0.05%+2% mupirocin ointment), to be applied twice daily at the red, crusted spots.

I would also suggest an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily for itching, if any.

The mole like brown spots could well be body lice which you describe as moving dots.

I strongly feel this is a body lice infestation.
I suggest you to wash all your sheets, clothings and towels as well using hot water (at least 54 °C).

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (7 hours later)
Thanks for your reply

I applied the cream, have done washing and timble dried as suggested too - in fact I have done this every day for 10 days

Been very careful with a my clothes and bed clothes so I'm not sure why I stil have this.

Also applied the other items as suggested

Any further thoughts?

I would have thought that this and the ivermectin would have killed the life cycle

Thanks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I suggest symptomatic treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Fine.

The mite or lice can cause hypersensitivity which can persist for a few days even after treatment, therefore, I suggest you to continue using a topical steroid+antibiotic combination ointment for the spots, twice daily.

I would also like to add an OTC oral antihistamine e.g cetrizine 10 mg once daily for a few days.

Should resolve in another 5-7 days.

Pay special attention to washing all your clothing and sheets etc as suggested.

Maintain utmost cleanliness and hygiene.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (8 hours later)
Hi Dr Kakkar

Thanks for your replies

Will do.

However after shaving yesterday - I shave my stomach and chest once a month - see photo 4. These red dots appeared all over my stomach below my naval.

Would you think this is related to scabies/

Or is it perhaps Folliculitis as per my Doctor's diagnosis? He is unavailable for 2 weeks so would appreciate your analysis. The red inflamations appear only to be where the hair follicles are.

Thanks
XXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I suggest a possibility of Razor burn Or Pseudofolliculitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

I have reviewed the Image

This looks like a razor burn. I can also see red, bumps specially around the hair follicles.
This is not related to scabies.
Most likely it is a razor burn Or pseudofolliculitis. It can happen from shaving with an old blade Or shaving too closely against the grain.

Did you shave against the grain?

Measures to avoid it include shaving during a hot shower after you have properly softening them up with a shaving cream/gel

I suggest you to use a topical steroid+antibiotic ointment, twice daily over this area as well.

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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Does Meth Usage Lead To Lesions On Arms And Shoulders?

Brief Answer: Kindly upload an image Detailed Answer: Hi Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic. Kindly upload any image for better evaluation. To upload an image go to report section or you can also mail at YYYY@YYYY with subject line as attention Dr. Kakkar. Regards