Xylazine-Induced Skin Necrosis
Practice Points
- Dermatologists should be aware of the potential for xylazine to cause ulcers in patients with a history of intravenous drug use.
- Early recognition of xylazine skin ulcers is imperative, as delayed diagnosis increases morbidity such as soft-tissue and bone infection, sepsis, and death.
To the Editor:
Xylazine, commonly referred to by its street name tranq, is a veterinary tranquilizer that has recently gained attention due to its increasing misuse in human populations. It often is combined with recreational drugs like fentanyl to extend the duration of drug effects. As a partial α2 receptor agonist, xylazine acts by reducing dopamine and norepinephrine release, resulting in sedative effects. This case report highlights xylazine skin necrosis manifesting as wrist drop and chronic wounds in a patient with a history of intravenous (IV) drug use.
A 35-year-old man with a history of IV drug use presented to the emergency department with a nonprogressive right wrist drop that had persisted for 2 weeks, along with new-onset left wrist drop of 1 day’s duration. The patient did not report any sensory symptoms or pain. Physical examination revealed an ulcerated necrotic plaque with hemorrhagic crust and focal areas of scarring on the right posterior forearm (Figure 1). The left hand exhibited a well-healed pink scar symmetric to the ulcer on the right forearm. The patient reported a history of a similar ulcer on the left hand that had resolved after discontinuation of IV drug use in that arm. He denied any history of trauma to the area.
The patient’s laboratory results demonstrated elevated inflammatory markers, including an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 105 mm/h (reference range, <15 mm/h in men younger than 50 years) and a C-reactive protein level of 7.7 mg/dL (reference range, <0.9 mg/dL). Additionally, antinuclear antibody and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody tests were positive. A urine drug screen returned positive results for various substances, including cocaine, cocaine metabolites, fentanyl, norfentanyl, β-hydroxyfentanyl or fentanyl metabolite, caffeine, caffeine metabolite or theophylline, nicotine metabolite, and xylazine. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right upper extremity excluded osteomyelitis but revealed multiple subepidermal abscesses.
A punch biopsy from the right forearm demonstrated an ulcer with a mixed infiltrate, dermal necrosis, and clusters of Gram-positive cocci, indicating a bacterial infection. There was no evidence of leukocytoclastic vasculitis (Figures 2 and 3). Electromyography confirmed mononeuritis multiplex as the cause of the right wrist drop. The patient was found to have cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–positive vasculitis in the setting of levamisole-adulterated cocaine use. Since no vasculitis was identified on histopathology of the ulcer and xylazine was detected on drug screening, a diagnosis of xylazine-induced skin necrosis was made. In our case, the patient did not show evidence of active osteomyelitis or sepsis and left the hospital against medical advice without adequate wound debridement.
Our case highlights xylazine-induced skin necrosis that can occur in individuals who use IV drugs. The combination of xylazine with other recreational drugs such as fentanyl poses unique challenges for clinicians. Xylazine has been increasingly found in cases of overdose-related mortality1 and recently has been reported to induce skin ulcers.2 Xylazine intoxication, though uncommon, can result in distinct clinical presentations, including recalcitrant skin ulcers and deep necrotizing wounds.
The precise mechanism behind these wounds remains unclear. Xylazine is a partial α2 receptor agonist, and it is postulated that the necrotic wounds develop secondary to local vasoconstriction, leading to decreased skin perfusion.3 A recent study found that xylazine used in combination with cocaine or an active metabolite in heroin can cause cytotoxicity to vascular endothelial cells, which can lead to dysregulation of vascular tone.4 Decreased perfusion and impaired wound healing put patients at risk for secondary infections, infected ulcers, osteomyelitis, and sepsis.
In patients with known fentanyl use in conjunction with skin necrosis, a high degree of suspicion for xylazine intoxication should be employed. Ruling out vasculitis (via serologic markers and skin biopsy) as well as atypical skin infections is important in these patients to identify potential cases of xylazine-induced skin necrosis. Other IV drugs such as krokodil (desomorphine) can cause severe skin necrosis and therefore should be considered in these patients. Early detection of these skin ulcers is imperative, as delayed diagnosis increases the risk for osteomyelitis and/or the need for amputation.
This case emphasizes the importance of health care providers remaining vigilant about emerging trends in drug misuse. Early recognition of xylazine intoxication and its potential complications is crucial for timely intervention and appropriate management, which may include wound debridement and antibiotic therapy. In addition, proper counseling regarding discontinuation of drug use is important in wound healing, though this poses a challenging conversation with the patient. Increased awareness among health care professionals and continued research in illicit drug–induced skin necrosis will aid in better understanding and addressing the growing issue of xylazine misuse.
