What is formication?
Formication is a tactile hallucination in which the patient has the sensation of insects crawling on or under the skin.
A tactile hallucination means that the person complains of a physical sensation, but without a physical cause.
Formication often occurs due to the following mental health conditions:
- Schizophrenia;
- Bipolar disorder;
- Depression;
- Anxiety;
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- Anxiety disorder.
Other causes include:
- Neurological disorders;
- Hyperthyroidism;
- Vitamin B12 deficiency;
- Folate deficiency;
- Diabetes;
- Neuropathy;
- Syphilis;
- Tuberculosis;
- Side effects of some medications;
- Menopause.
Due to formication, people become prone to rubbing and scratching, which increases the risk of scratching - unfortunately, when the integrity of the skin is broken, bacteria easily enter the body and the risk of infection increases.
Other types of complications are also expected:
- Fatigue;
- Insomnia;
- Depression;
- Anxiety;
- Decreased ability to concentrate.
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