Opioid addiction is a growing concern globally, with an increasing number of people becoming dependent on prescription and illicit opioids.
While the physical and psychological effects of opioid addiction are well-documented, the impact it can have on the skin is often overlooked.
As more and more people suffer from opiate addiction the signs are there, and with many of us most conscious about our skin, the damage it is doing to it is both physical and mental, with anxiety around it sky high.
But how exactly does opioid abuse affect our skin? In order to know, that you will have to read this blog till the end. So, keep reading to find out more…
Why Are Opioids Addictive?
Before talking about the effects of opioids on the skin, it is important that you learn about why people often get addicted to this drug.
The fact that opioids not only alleviate pain but also produce a feeling of euphoria—intense happiness—that many people find pleasurable is the primary reason why opioids have a high potential for addiction.
Regular opioid users quickly develop tolerance to these effects. They might then take more and more of the drug in an effort to recreate the same level of euphoria and pain relief. Opioid misuse or chronic use can result in mental and physical dependence.
When a drug becomes so integral to a person’s thoughts, feelings, and activities that the need to continue using it becomes a craving or compulsion despite the negative effects, the person is psychologically dependent.
Opioids Effects On Skin: Five Ways It Damages The Skin!
Your skin is a crucial organ. While your environment and lifestyle choices have a significant impact on skin health, genetics play a significant role. Your skin can recount an account of hydration, taking care of oneself, and great well-being. Alternatively, it may show evidence that your body is in need of immediate care.
A bad diet, not enough water, or a bad skincare routine can all cause bad skin. Additionally, opioids are to blame for prescription drug misuse.
If you are searching for ways in which opioids might damage your skin, you will find this part of the article to be of help. Here are the five ways in which this drug affects your skin:
Pruritus
Pruritus, or severe itching, is a common side effect of opioids, and it can cause significant skin damage. Chronic scratching can lead to lichenification, a condition in which the skin becomes thick and leathery, and may also result in secondary bacterial or fungal infections. Pruritus can be particularly problematic for those with pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
Reduced collagen production
Opioids have been found to reduce collagen production in the skin, leading to premature aging and wrinkles. Collagen is an essential protein that provides the skin with elasticity and strength. When collagen levels decrease, the skin becomes less elastic, and wrinkles can develop. Opioid addiction can, therefore, lead to the premature appearance of aging.
Poor wound healing
Opioid addiction can also affect the body’s ability to heal wounds. Chronic opioid use can slow down the healing process by reducing blood flow and suppressing the immune system.
This can result in poor wound healing and increase the risk of infection. In addition, opioid users may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors, such as injecting drugs, which can further increase the risk of infections such as cellulitis and abscesses.
Skin infections
Using opioids will also increase the risk of skin infections, particularly if drug use involves injecting opioids. Injecting drugs can cause skin damage, which can lead to infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, and endocarditis. These infections can be life-threatening and may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.
Cutaneous vasculitis
Cutaneous vasculitis is a condition in which the blood vessels in the skin become inflamed and damaged. Opioid addiction has been linked to an increased risk of cutaneous vasculitis.
This can cause a range of symptoms, including skin rash, ulceration, and necrosis. In severe cases, cutaneous vasculitis can lead to organ damage and death.
Other Side Effects Of Opioids On Health!
Apart from the effects of this drug on the skin that I have spoken about, there are several other adverse effects of opioids.
Here are some of the side effects that you need to know about when dealing with it:
1. Drowsiness
Opioids, and in particular morphine, are known to cause severe sedation and drowsiness. People taking opioids are thus advised to refrain from driving and operating heavy machinery in order to avoid accidents.
2. Constipation
In the digestive tract, opioids cause movements that are sluggish peristaltic. When used for an extended period of time, this results in severe constipation and causes stasis, or loss of movement, of the contents of the intestine.
3. Nausea And Vomiting
Opioids cause nausea and vomiting by stimulating opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract and vomiting center of the brain. Morphine and codeine, two opioids, induce more nausea than others.
4. Heartbeat Fluctuations
Pulse might turn out to be either quick or extremely sluggish. When getting up from a sitting or lying position, some opioid users may also experience postural hypotension, also known as a severe drop in blood pressure.
5. Psychological Effects
Opioids can cause hallucinations, delirium, dizziness, and confusion in addition to euphoria. There may be a headache and some memory loss.
6. Respiratory Issues
In the event of a low blood oxygen level, the breathing mechanism may be stifled. There is an increase in the desire to breathe as blood oxygen levels decrease and blood carbon dioxide levels rise.
Opioids, on the other hand, have a negative impact on the ventilatory response to hypoxemia, which raises the possibility of hypoventilation. Nonetheless, this happens for the most part in instances of narcotics that are more powerful and taken in higher portions.
What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Opioids?
Apart from the side effects of taking opioids, there are several other long-term effects of the same. Here are some of them that you need to keep in mind before indulging too much in this case:
- Chronic constipation.
- Dysregulation of glands like the Hypothalamic, Pituitary, and Adrenal.
- Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).
- Greater risk of fractures as the bones become brittle.
- Increased risk of opioid overdose.
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