The animal tranquilizer xylazine is increasingly found in the illicit opioid supply, leading to severe wounds among drug users. A survey in Massachusetts found that 87% of respondents had xylazine wounds, leading to complications like infections or amputation. These individuals faced barriers accessing proper wound care, with inadequate pain management and stigma in healthcare settings. The lack of access to low-barrier wound care services and training for addiction care providers further exacerbates the issue. Efforts are being made to provide resources and education for wound self-care and to develop protocols for clinicians to address xylazine wounds nationwide.
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Exploring the impact of xylazine on wound care needs
