Psychosocial Impact of Suspected Xylazine-Associated Skin Wounds Among People Using Fentanyl, Philadelphia, 2022 to 2023.

Abstract

Background: The United States opioid crisis has been worsened by the emergence of fentanyl adulterated or associated with the veterinary sedative xylazine. Designated by the White House as an "emerging threat to the US" in 2023, xylazine use is associated with severe skin wounds.

Methods: This research explored beliefs, concerns, and treatment behaviors for skin wounds among 93 participants recruited outside of a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania harm reduction agency who reported past-6-month history of a skin wound via a cross-sectional survey administered August-September 2022 (group 1; n = 33). Following a December 2022 Philadelphia Department of Public Health Report that indicated xylazine was becoming more prevalent in the Philadelphian drug supply, additional data was collected with new participants from February-March 2023 (group 2; n = 60) using the same survey. Participants were ≥18 years old, reported past-year fentanyl use, and spoke English. Our 17-item tool measured skin wound-related beliefs, concerns, treatment behaviors, and treatment sources. An open-response item explored why participants self-treat skin wounds.

Results: Participants averaged 41 years old (SD = 9), slightly more than half were men (n = 54, 58%), 31% (n = 29) were non-White, and most (n = 66, 71%) were unhoused. Overall, 79% of participants self-treated skin wounds. Participants endorsed worry about limb loss (n = 77; 83%), wound shame (n = 76; 82%), and appearance changes (n = 80; 86%). Sixty participants (65%) reported waiting to see wound severity before seeking care. Forty-one participants (44%) delayed wound care because of withdrawal fears.

Conclusions: People with probable xylazine-associated skin wounds have psychosocial concerns about and self-treat these wounds. Findings may be a harbinger of skin wound harm in other regions of the United States and internationally where xylazine is increasing.