Dermatological Aspects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Addiction

The document from May 2, 2016, summarizes a study on the dermatological effects of synthetic cannabinoid (SC) addiction in 136 users, with a mean age of 25.8 years, predominantly low-educated males. The study found a range of dermatological issues including acne, hair loss, premature aging, and artifact lesions such as scars and tattoos. Specifically, 65.4% of patients had acne, with 37.5% experiencing telogen effluvium, and other conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, androgenic alopecia, trichotillomania, and alopecia areata were observed. Nail and oral mucosa problems were also common, and signs of sexually transmitted diseases were found in the genital region of some patients. The study suggests that SC use may disrupt the cutaneous endocannabinoid system, leading to these dermatological issues, and emphasizes the importance of dermatologists recognizing these signs for early diagnosis and intervention. However, the study had limitations such as a small sample size and the absence of a control group.