Skin popping

Skin popping is any of several routes of administration whereby street drugs are injected or deposited under the skin. It is usually a depot injection, either subcutaneous or intradermal, although the term is rarely (and inaccurately) applied to intramuscular injection. After deposition, the drug then diffuses slowly from the depot into the capillary networks, where it enters circulation. Skin popping is distinct from intravenous injection in that the latter deposits the drug directly into the bloodstream via a vein. Higher-potency prescription opioids, such as morphine, fentanyl, or meperidine can be injected subcutaneously, as can cocaine. Skin popping increases the duration of the high one gets from drugs such as cocaine. The sites where skin popping with cocaine has been performed have an area of central pallor surrounded by bruising (ecchymosis). This pattern is due to the vasoconstrictive properties of cocaine acting locally at the injection site with hemorrhage occurring in the surrounding tissue. Skin popping puts one at risk for developing secondary amyloid associated (AA) amyloidosis. Tetanus has also been associated with skin-popping as has botulism.