Skin hyperpigmentation: a rare presenting symptom of nitrous oxide abuse

Abstract

Context: Recreational nitrogen oxide (N₂O) abuse can cause nervous system damage. There was a sharp increase in the number of patients with neurological disorders associated with recreational N₂O use in China, as recreational N₂O use became popular in young people nationwide. Among cases with neurological disorders caused by N₂O abuse, a few showed skin hyperpigmentation, which has rarely been reported. We explored the characteristics of hyperpigmentation in N₂O abusers to draw the attention of clinicians to this rare cutaneous symptom related to N₂O abuse.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data of patients with neurological disorders related to recreational N₂O abuse in Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from January 2014 to June 2019. Detailed clinical data were gathered from patients who manifested skin pigmentation, including the history of N₂O abuse and characteristics of neurological lesions and skin pigmentation.

Results: In total, 66 patients (average age: 22.7 ± 4.5 years, 36 males) with neurological disorders due to N₂O abuse were included; four of them (17–23 years old, 1 male) manifested skin hyperpigmentation. The duration of N₂O abuse of the four patients ranged from 2 to 24 months, and they all had peripheral neuropathy; the two patients also had subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord. One patient exhibited significant hyperpigmentation throughout the body (trunk, limbs, and face), with no abnormalities in cortisol and other biochemical tests. One patient presented with punctuate pigmentation throughout the trunk. Two patients presented with finger skin pigmentation, especially in the distal phalanxes. Pigmentation after N₂O use remitted slowly with vitamin B12 supplementation.

Conclusion: Skin hyperpigmentation is a rare symptom in N₂O abusers, which can distribute locally in hands or diffusely throughout the body. Therefore, attention should be paid to a history of N₂O abuse and serum vitamin B12 level should be tested.

Keywords:

• Nitrous oxide
• vitamin B12 deficiency
• melanogenesis
• abuse
• skin hyperpigmentation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article are reported.

Additional information

Funding

A grant of Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province [No. 2018225091] supports the paper’s preparation and publication.