Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Antibiotics Gone Wrong: Inflammation Treatment Leaves US Woman’s Skin Shockingly Black And Blue

In a shocking case, a 68-year-old woman in the US who took antibiotics for inflammation developed an alarming skin reaction, leaving her skin black and blue.

The unusual case, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), noted that the woman developed dark patches on her skin very quickly, within two weeks of starting the drug — a course of minocycline, an oral antibiotic.

Two weeks before the onset of the skin changes, she had started taking 100 mg daily of oral minocycline to treat rosacea, which causes chronic inflammation and redness of the face.

Over the course of six weeks, dark patches appeared on the woman's arms and legs. It ranged from a bruise-like dark blue and purple to jet-black. 

Her doctors also noticed blue-gray "hyperpigmentation" on the woman's forearms and shins, as well as on the sides of her tongue. The woman noted that the patches had first appeared on her legs before cropping up elsewhere.

Rosacea is a common skin condition that leads to the formation of small, red bumps and pus-filled pimples on the skin, and evidence suggests that antibiotics like minocycline can help eliminate those bumps.

Writing in the paper, Aarti Maharaj, from the University of Florida, shared that hyperpigmentation is a well-established side effect of minocycline, in which patches of skin become darker than the skin surrounding them. 

While the condition typically develops after months of treatment, it may rarely occur with shorter courses, the expert said. 

In this case, the woman was diagnosed with type II minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation, which is "defined by blue-gray discoloration of normal skin on the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs," according to Maharaj. 

Doctors advised the patient to stop taking minocycline and to avoid sun exposure, as ultraviolet light is thought to worsen hyperpigmentation in these cases. Six months later, the hyperpigmentation in her limbs had "abated somewhat" but was still visible. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/medical-miracle-world-first-frozen-testicular-implant-gives-infertile-uk-man-hope-of-fatherhood-article-154253155" data-type="tilCustomLink">Medical Miracle: World First Frozen Testicular Implant Gives ‘Infertile’ UK Man Hope of Fatherhood</a>

<h2>Minocycline And Hyperpigmentation</h2>

 According to Mayo Clinic, minocycline belongs to the class of medicines known as tetracycline antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.

<ul><li>Type I shows up as blue-black discoloration on scarred or inflamed skin on the face, rather than on healthy skin on the limbs.</li><li>Type II leads to blue-gray discoloration of normal skin on the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs. </li><li>Type III appears as muddy-brown pigmentation on sun-exposed areas of the body. </li></ul>While type I minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation can show up soon after a person starts taking the drug, type II and type III usually take longer to appear.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/major-fda-study-confirms-baby-formula-in-us-safe-testing-to-continue-article-154204476" data-type="tilCustomLink">Major FDA Study Confirms Baby Formula In US Safe, Testing to Continue</a>

According to a frequently cited study, the side effect shows up in about 28 per cent of people in this population, although that research included only a small number of patients. The true incidence of the side effect is unclear, Live Science reported. 

Once a person stops taking minocycline, the pigmentation can take months to years to dissipate, reports suggest. In type III cases, it sometimes never goes away.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

minocycline

antibiotic

chronic inflammation

skin reaction

Hyperpigmentation

skin discoloration

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In a shocking case, a 68-year-old woman in the US who took antibiotics for inflammation developed an alarming skin reaction, leaving her skin black and blue. The unusual case, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), noted that the woman developed dark patches on her skin very quickly, within two weeks of starting the drug — a course of minocycline, an oral antibiotic. Two weeks before the onset of the skin changes, she had started taking 100 mg daily of oral minocycline to treat rosacea, which causes chronic inflammation and redness of the face. Over the course of six weeks, dark patches appeared on the woman's arms and legs. It ranged from a bruise-like dark blue and purple to jet-black. Her doctors also noticed blue-gray "hyperpigmentation" on the woman's forearms and shins, as well as on the sides of her tongue. The woman noted that the patches had first appeared on her legs before cropping up elsewhere. Rosacea is a common skin condition that leads to the formation of small, red bumps and pus-filled pimples on the skin, and evidence suggests that antibiotics like minocycline can help eliminate those bumps. Writing in the paper, Aarti Maharaj, from the University of Florida, shared that hyperpigmentation is a well-established side effect of minocycline, in which patches of skin become darker than the skin surrounding them.  While the condition typically develops after months of treatment, it may rarely occur with shorter courses, the expert said.  In this case, the woman was diagnosed with type II minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation, which is "defined by blue-gray discoloration of normal skin on the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs," according to Maharaj.  Doctors advised the patient to stop taking minocycline and to avoid sun exposure, as ultraviolet light is thought to worsen hyperpigmentation in these cases. Six months later, the hyperpigmentation in her limbs had "abated somewhat" but was still visible. Also read: Medical Miracle: World First Frozen Testicular Implant Gives ‘Infertile’ UK Man Hope of FatherhoodMinocycline And Hyperpigmentation According to Mayo Clinic, minocycline belongs to the class of medicines known as tetracycline antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria or preventing their growth. However, this medicine will not work for colds, flu, or other virus infections.It causes hyperpigmentation: Type I shows up as blue-black discoloration on scarred or inflamed skin on the face, rather than on healthy skin on the limbs.Type II leads to blue-gray discoloration of normal skin on the extensor surfaces of the arms and legs. Type III appears as muddy-brown pigmentation on sun-exposed areas of the body. While type I minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation can show up soon after a person starts taking the drug, type II and type III usually take longer to appear.Read More: Major FDA Study Confirms Baby Formula In US Safe, Testing to ContinueAccording to a frequently cited study, the side effect shows up in about 28 per cent of people in this population, although that research included only a small number of patients. The true incidence of the side effect is unclear, Live Science reported. Once a person stops taking minocycline, the pigmentation can take months to years to dissipate, reports suggest. In type III cases, it sometimes never goes away.