What Are Meth Sores? A Complete Guide to Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Methamphetamine addiction is a devastating and complex condition with a cascade of physical, psychological, and social consequences. One of the most visible and distressing symptoms of methamphetamine use is the development of meth sores—painful, unsightly, and potentially dangerous skin lesions that can become infected and leave permanent scars.

Meth sores are caused by compulsive skin picking due to tactile hallucinations (like feeling bugs crawling on the skin), poor hygiene, reduced blood flow, and a weakened immune system from chronic methamphetamine use. Symptoms include open wounds, skin infections, mouth sores, and slow-healing lesions that often worsen with continued drug use. Treatment involves stopping meth use, cleaning and protecting the wounds, seeking medical care for infections, and addressing underlying psychological issues through comprehensive addiction treatment.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are meth sores?
• What causes meth sores?
• Where do meth sores appear?
• How are meth sores treated?
• Can meth sores be prevented?

Understanding Meth Sores

What Are Meth Sores?

Meth sores are open wounds, ulcers, or skin lesions that appear on the face, arms, mouth, and other areas of the body in individuals who use methamphetamine (often referred to as crystal meth). These sores can range from small pimples or acne-like bumps to large, infected skin wounds.

They are not caused directly by the drug’s chemical composition but are rather a consequence of the behavioral, psychological, and physiological effects of methamphetamine use.

Causes of Meth Sores

1. Compulsive Skin Picking (Excoriation Disorder)

Meth use frequently leads to excessive skin picking due to tactile hallucinations, commonly known as “meth mites”—a sensation that bugs are crawling on or under the skin.[1] This leads users to scratch and pick at their skin repeatedly, creating open wounds that can become infected.

2. Reduced Blood Flow

Meth constricts blood vessels, leading to reduced blood flow throughout the body, particularly in the extremities and skin.[2] This limits the skin’s ability to heal and increases the likelihood of developing chronic skin sores and skin damage.

3. Poor Hygiene

Many meth users suffer from poor hygiene due to extended periods of use, during which eating, bathing, or caring for wounds may be neglected. This lack of cleanliness allows bacteria to thrive, exacerbating skin issues.

4. Weakened Immune System

Chronic methamphetamine use compromises the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infection and promote healing.[3] Even minor sores can progress into severe infections or permanent scarring.

5. Poor Nutrition

People who use meth often have poor dietary habits, which limit the intake of vital nutrients needed for skin health and wound healing.

Where Do Meth Sores Appear?

The most common places for meth sores to appear include:

• Face: The most iconic and visible sores are those on the face, often referred to as “meth face”.
• Arms and hands: Frequent areas of picking and scratching.
• Mouth: Mouth sores and gum disease are common due to meth mouth, characterized by tooth decay, dry mouth (reduced saliva production), and infections.
• Legs and torso: May appear due to scratching or skin breakdown during prolonged meth use.

Meth sores can appear anywhere on the skin. Unfortunately, people suffering from meth addiction begin picking at their skin because they believe they have bugs inside their bodies. This is a form of psychosis that leads to sores and infections of the skin.

What Do Meth Sores Look Like?

Meth sores can look like:

• Small acne breakouts that worsen with picking
• Red, inflamed wounds or ulcers
• Pustules or boils
• Scabbed-over lesions that reopen
• Discolored or infected areas
• Skin wounds with oozing pus or swelling
  

These wounds often don’t heal properly due to chronic meth use and poor self-care, and they can lead to skin infections, abscesses, and permanent disfigurement.

Progression of Meth Sores

Meth sores progress and worsen over time. The progression of meth sores usually looks like:

1. Initial formation: Begins as itching or the feeling of bugs (meth mites).
2. Skin picking begins: Sores are created through compulsive scratching.
3. Worsening of lesions: Repeated picking and poor hygiene prevent healing.
4. Infection sets in: Bacteria enter open wounds.
5. Permanent skin damage: Leads to scarring, dark spots, or cratered skin.
   

If medical treatment is not sought, the progression of meth sores can result in systemic infections that require hospitalization.

Psychological Factors Behind Meth Sores

Beyond the physical, psychological effects of meth play a large role:

• Paranoia and psychosis are common in methamphetamine users.
• Compulsive behaviors, including skin picking, are fueled by distorted thinking.
• Mental health conditions like anxiety, hallucinations, or obsessive thoughts worsen these behaviors.
  

Because meth can do lasting damage to a person’s mental health, addiction treatment often includes behavioral therapy and addressing co-occurring mental illness.

Treatment for Meth Sores

Step 1: Stop Methamphetamine Use

The most crucial step in healing is overcoming meth addiction. Without ending meth use, skin sores will continue to develop and worsen.

Comprehensive treatment programs can include:

• Detoxification
• Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation
• Behavioral therapy
• Dual diagnosis care 
• Medication-assisted treatment
• Support groups and aftercare

Step 2: Proper Wound Care

Meth sores need to be treated as wounds, which involves:

• Cleaning the wounds with an antiseptic.
• Applying prescribed or over-the-counter antibiotic ointments.
• Using bandages to prevent infection.
• Avoid touching or picking the sores.

Step 3: Medical Intervention

For severe infections, professional help is required. This may involve:

• Oral or IV antibiotics
• Drainage of abscesses
• Skin grafts or dermatological care for skin damage

Step 4: Nutrition and Hydration

Improving diet to include vitamins and minerals (especially vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc) can promote healing and skin regeneration.

Step 5: Mental Health Support

Treating the psychological symptoms of addiction is essential:

• Therapy for compulsive skin picking
• Support for psychotic symptoms like hallucinations
• Counseling for trauma, depression, or anxiety

Can Meth Sores Be Prevented?

Yes, but only through prevention and early intervention.

Prevention strategies for meth sores include:

• Avoiding meth use altogether
• Early treatment for those beginning to show signs of methamphetamine misuse
• Prompt care of small wounds to prevent worsening
• Support from healthcare professionals for mental health and substance abuse

The Long-Term Impact of Meth Sores

If left untreated, meth sores can result in:

• Permanent scarring
• Facial disfigurement
• Chronic skin infections
• Social stigma and isolation
• Increased risk of bloodborne infections from open wounds
  

The physical pain of meth sores is often matched by emotional and psychological suffering.

Statistics and Trends

Statistics and trends related to meth abuse and addiction include:[4,5,6,7]

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “an estimated 1.6 million U.S. adults aged ≥18 years, on average, reported past-year methamphetamine use.”
• Hospitalizations related to methamphetamine drug abuse have more than tripled over the past decade.
• Nearly 50% of chronic meth users experience some form of skin picking or tactile hallucinations, which are directly related to meth sore development.
• A 2020 study linked poor wound healing and skin infections to prolonged meth use and reduced blood flow.

Get Connected to Professional Meth Addiction Treatment

Meth sores are just one of the many harrowing physical manifestations of chronic methamphetamine use. However, they serve as a clear and urgent signal that intervention is needed—not just for skin health, but for the whole person.

With the right combination of medical treatment, mental health support, and comprehensive addiction recovery, healing is not only possible—it’s within reach.

Contact First Step Behavioral Health today for more infromation on how we can help you or your loved one recover from meth addiction and skin sores.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Meth Sores

1. Are meth sores contagious?

No, meth sores are not contagious. However, if they become infected, they can harbor bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, which can spread to others through direct contact or shared personal items.

2. How long does it take for meth sores to heal after quitting meth?

Healing time varies depending on the severity of the sores, a person’s overall health, and how well the wounds are cared for. Minor sores may heal within a few weeks, while more severe or infected wounds can take months and may require medical intervention.

3. Do all meth users get meth sores?

Not all meth users develop visible sores, but many do—especially with chronic or heavy use. Factors like skin sensitivity, frequency of use, hygiene, and co-occurring mental health conditions influence whether someone develops sores.

4. Can meth sores leave permanent damage?

Yes. Without proper care, meth sores can lead to permanent scarring, skin discoloration, and tissue damage, especially if repeatedly picked or infected.

5. Are meth sores only on the face?

No. While “meth face” is commonly recognized due to visible facial sores, meth sores can appear anywhere on the body, especially areas frequently scratched, such as the arms, chest, legs, and hands.

6. What role does mental health play in meth sore development?

Mental health conditions like anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis can drive compulsive skin picking and poor self-care, both of which significantly increase the risk and severity of meth sores. Treating these underlying psychological factors is crucial for full recovery.

References:

1. APA PsycNet: Excoration Disorder
2. Science Direct: Methamphetamine causes cardiovascular dysfunction via cystathionine gamma lyase and hydrogen sulfide depletion
3. Bentham Science: Immune System and Methamphetamine: Molecular Basis of a Relationship
4. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Patterns and Characteristics of Methamphetamine Use Among Adults — United States, 2015–2018
5. University of Colorado: Psychiatric Hospitalizations Involving Methamphetamine Increased, Study Finds
6. Springer Nature Link: Methamphetamine Psychosis: Epidemiology and Management
7. AAWC: The Influence of Methamphetamine (Meth) on Wound Healing