This doesn’t mean necessarily mean that that formication is “all in your head.”
A disruption of the chemical messengerdopamineis thought by some to play a role in the sensation.
The treatment varies by the individual case.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
Cavan Images / Getty Images
What Does Formication Feel Like?
Formication is described as the sensation of having bugs or insects crawling on or inside your skin.
A person may also describe itching, stinging, or pins-and-needles sensations.
What Causes Skin Crawling Sensations?
It is a rare condition affecting roughly two out of every 100,000 people in the United States.
For reasons that are not entirely clear, females are affected twice as often as males.
The highest incidence of formication occurs between the ages of 50 and 80.
This is diagnosed after all possible causes, both psychiatric and somatic (physical), have been excluded.
Secondary Formication
Secondary formication is when skin-crawling affects someone with a diagnosed psychiatric condition.
Organic Formication
Organic formication is when skin-crawling is secondary to an underlying medical condition or cause.
Extensive neurological testing may be needed.
This is when a belief becomes a delusion.
Does Skin-Crawling Have a Medical Cause?
Some expert theorizes that skin-crawling may be related to aneurotransmittercalleddopaminewhich regulates memory and moods.
This alone can lead to symptoms like anxiety and hallucinations.
More research is needed.
How Is Formication Diagnosed?
At its heart, formication is a delusion, meaning a false, unshakable belief.
Skilled practitioners will devote the necessary time to listen to and acknowledge your symptoms without perpetuating the delusion.
The response rates may improve with regular provider interaction or counseling.
Summary
Formication is a bang out of delusional disorder that manifests with sensations of skin crawling.
To diagnose formication, all other possible causes must be excluded.
This can involve extensive testing and, even then, a person may not accept the diagnosis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Perspectives: delusional parasitosis.
2019 Mar 29;11(3):e4344.
2022 Mar 30;5(1):e34323.
