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Heparin, which is the most popular anticoagulant used, can trigger skin lesions.
The new study, which has been published in Canadian Medical Association Journal, was conducted on 320 patients, who were being treated with heparin injections for more than a year at The Hospital of The Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany.
The skin lacerations, which happen due to this anti-coagulant, can be the symptom of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which is a self-limiting, allergic skin reaction. But very rarely, this can pose a threat to human life.
Out of the total subjects, 24 showcased lesions at a rate which was above the normal 2%.
"During the study, we were surprised by the high number of patients with heparin-induced skin lesions," state Dr Ralf Ludwig, University of Lubeck, and coauthors.
After clinical examination, they suggested "a delayed-type hypersensitivity response was the most common cause for all the observed lesions," which was confirmed by subsequent allergologic and histologic testing.
Another interesting fact was that the study found that women were more prone to such hypersensitive reactions. Pregnancy, obesity and long duration of current heparin treatment were found to share an association with delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.
According to the scientists, the doctors must be aware of the fact that skin lesions can be triggered when patients are given subcutaneous heparin therapy. They must also diagnose the cause of these lesions.
