Related Experiment Videos
Ecstasy pimples - a new facial dermatosis
U Wollina1, H J Kammler, N Hesselbarth
1Department of Dermatology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany. uwol@derma.uni-jena.de
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 10, 1998
Summary
Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) use can cause a mild facial rash. This acneiform dermatosis may serve as a cutaneous marker for designer drug abuse in young adults.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, XTC) is prevalent in rave and techno scenes.
- While severe addiction disorders are documented, dermatological manifestations of XTC use remain largely undescribed.
Observation:
- Two young adults (20-year-old female, 21-year-old male) presented with facial rashes after oral XTC intake.
- The rash consisted of reddish pimples, resembling periorificial dermatosis or acneiform eruptions, notably lacking open or closed comedones.
Findings:
- The observed facial rash, termed 'XTC pimples,' is an acneiform dermatosis.
- These lesions resolved spontaneously without specific dermatological intervention.
Implications:
- The 'XTC pimples' may indicate designer drug abuse among young individuals.
- This mild dermatosis could serve as an early cutaneous warning sign for substance abuse.