Parasitic hallucinosis (paranoia) is a psychotic disorder manifested by the presence of sensory delusions - the patient is convinced that there are parasites under the skin or the whole body. What are the causes and symptoms of parasitic paranoia? What is the treatment of parasitic insanity?

Parasitic hallucinosis , or parasitic insanity, parasitic paranoia, tactile hallucinosis, parasitosis or Ekbom's syndrome, is a psychotic disorder from the hallucinosis group, manifested by the presence of sensory delusions - false beliefs about the presence of parasites under the skin / in the skin or throughout the body.

Parasitic hallucinosis - causes and risk factors

Parasitic hallucinosis is most often diagnosed in elderly single women, who often live in social isolation, with low socioeconomic status and low education.

This type of hallucinosis in younger people is usually the result of drug use - cocaine (cocaine worms) and others.

Some experts say that delusions can be a delusional interpretation of physiological sensations, e.g. itching and other ailments caused by skin changes in the course of diseases such as diabetes, hypovitaminosis, anemia, allergic reactions.

This disease may also appear in the course of not only organic diseases, but also schizophrenia and affective disorders. It is most often associated with depression.

Parasitic hallucinosis - symptoms

The patient is convinced that "worms" or "tiny animals" are moving under the skin. In the course of the disease, there are tactile hallucinations perceived by the patient as crawling of worms or insects under or in the skin. The patient also explains how they reproduce, circulate under the skin, sometimes going beyond its area. Sometimes itching is an accompanying symptom.

Patients will often bring the presumed parasite wrapped in a paper wrapper to the doctor as evidence of infection and will be placed in a jar or box. Usually these are fragments of scratched, calloused epidermis. He may insist on examining it under a magnifying glass and taking a skin sample for evaluation. In order to extract the alleged parasites, the sick use not only their fingers, but also needles and other tools. Some people use their own methodsget rid of suspected parasites by applying various chemicals to the skin, such as detergents (toilet products), pesticides, and even gasoline. As a result, in most cases, the skin develops scratches, cuts, and sometimes even ulcerations.

Patients are completely uncritical about their symptoms. They believe that the presence of parasites is unquestionable.

The parasites with which the sick person is allegedly infected may be, for example, lice. In this case, the onset of the disease is similar in many cases. First, the patient notices itchy lesions on the scalp (and nearby parts of the body, such as the neck). He suspects it's an allergy. He seeks help from a dermatologist. If he orders allergy tests, the results are negative. The itching of the head intensifies, in addition, "hard bumps" appear on it, and the patient "feels the worms" crawling under the scalp. You try to get rid of them by brushing them or applying various preparations for lice. However, nothing helps. To get rid of the alleged worms, the sick person scratches his head very badly, often to the blood, but even then he does not stop scratching. He scratches the wounds because he knows that "the parasites are there." Sometimes the patient is convinced that the worms have infested the whole body, that they are everywhere, on the legs, hands and face. Eventually, the sick person can reach for the knife to make incisions and get the worms out. However, she concludes that the incisions turn out to be too shallow because the parasites are still under the skin. The sick person is afraid to leave the house, for fear of infecting other people.

Parasitic hallucinosis - treatment

Parasitic madness requires treatment with antipsychotic drugs. If a patient develops bacterial skin infections as a result of scratching, it is necessary to use topical antibiotics, and in the case of very extensive lesions, also oral antibiotics.

Convincing a mentally ill person to take medication, however, is not easy. In such a situation, the patient should be taken care of, show interest in him, because it is, inter alia, Its lack leads to a loosening of the relationship, and further to a feeling of loneliness, which is a factor in the development of the disease. When the trust of the sick person is gained, further steps can be taken to implement effective treatment.

Category:

Psychiatry