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Suggest Treatment For Delusional Parasitosis
Question: i have been living with bird mites for the last 4 months and have a compromised immune system. They are infesting my body! They have been a living nightmare, but are hard to diagnose. They have been verified by the pest control company in my home, but my PCP diagnosed me as Dermatitis factitia (artefacta). My Dermotogist is an xxxxxx who refuse to do a skin scraping. I have researched that the only way to confirm this diagnose is through an entomologist at an university. Is this correct? what can I do todeep them off of me. The are in my nose, mouth, ears, and eyes. They are in my pelvic region and driving me crazing with the iching. I need help desperately!!! With my comprimised immune system, they get into my lesions and embed themselves. (my platlet count is only 57-61 out of 140) My PCP is though medicare and doesn't really seem to care. HELP
Brief Answer:
Delusional parasitosis or Ekbom's syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I have read your query and understood your concern.
Whatever I am going to tell you is probably right and professional opinion. You may feel difficult to accept but if you can accept you will be better soon.
I can understand how much discomfort you are feeling due to sensation of parasite infestation. Yes I agree that your symptoms are right but reason is not that what you are thinking.
You are probably suffering from Delusional parasitosis, or delusory parasitosis, also known as Ekbom's syndrome. It is a form of psychosis whose victims acquire a strong delusional belief that they are infested with parasites, whereas in reality no such parasites are present. It happens due to neurochemical disturbance in brain. It may be a symptom of schizophrenia but no always. It is diagnosed by a psychiatrist with detail history from patient and relative and with help of detail mental status examination.
If there are parasites in your nose, mouth, ears, and eyes there must be local symptoms.
This delusional parasitosis is difficult to treat. We psychiatrist used to get reference of such patients from our dermatologist colleagues. In this problem anti-psychotic medicine specifically first generation typical anti-psychotic like haloperidol or pimozide is more useful. Sometime SSRI like fluoxetine is also added.
From my clinical experience I would suggest to take opinion of psychiatrist first.
For your immune system problem please upload your blood report. WBC cells are more related to immunity not platelets.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Delusional parasitosis or Ekbom's syndrome
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us. I have read your query and understood your concern.
Whatever I am going to tell you is probably right and professional opinion. You may feel difficult to accept but if you can accept you will be better soon.
I can understand how much discomfort you are feeling due to sensation of parasite infestation. Yes I agree that your symptoms are right but reason is not that what you are thinking.
You are probably suffering from Delusional parasitosis, or delusory parasitosis, also known as Ekbom's syndrome. It is a form of psychosis whose victims acquire a strong delusional belief that they are infested with parasites, whereas in reality no such parasites are present. It happens due to neurochemical disturbance in brain. It may be a symptom of schizophrenia but no always. It is diagnosed by a psychiatrist with detail history from patient and relative and with help of detail mental status examination.
If there are parasites in your nose, mouth, ears, and eyes there must be local symptoms.
This delusional parasitosis is difficult to treat. We psychiatrist used to get reference of such patients from our dermatologist colleagues. In this problem anti-psychotic medicine specifically first generation typical anti-psychotic like haloperidol or pimozide is more useful. Sometime SSRI like fluoxetine is also added.
From my clinical experience I would suggest to take opinion of psychiatrist first.
For your immune system problem please upload your blood report. WBC cells are more related to immunity not platelets.
Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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