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What Causes Hallucinations While Treating Parasitic Infestation?

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Posted on Wed, 2 Nov 2016
Question: I have had a parasitic (topical, facial) infestation for over a year now. I have been misdiagnosed multiple times, first i was treated for fungal infection, then they actually said I was causing the sores myself by scrubbing my face (mental reasons), been accused of hallucinating with no prior mental health issues and multiple witnesses to this parasite. It is a black worm approximately half an inch long, I've seen 2 that were about an inch, and it is accompanied by small white hairs, all the same length. The white hairs fall off kind of like seed pods from a tree, they sloth off all the time.. just the white hairs. I only get to see the black worms after spending literally 2 days straight doing nothing but cleaning off my face and i had just finished my final dose of ivermectin (took 4 weeks). Now I have no idea what it could be, who I should go see. My dermatologist was doing pretty good until today when he decided I might need to see a psychiatrist first.. I swear to God, hand on the bible, if it was a mental problem, I would drive myself to the hospital, but its not. Its been building up for a year and he is my 3rd dermatologist.
ok I'm done
I have many pictures/videos if there is any way you could see them or if they would help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please send the pictures/videos you have....

Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,

I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns.

Skin parasites are many types and they are usual in tropical countries.

If you can send pictures and all medical data you have for your case would be great. Can you please tell if:
- you travelled in other places recently?
- you have been in contact with other infected people or animals?

Cutaneous myiasis involves the larvae's of two-winged flies. These flies are native in South and Central XXXXXXX Usually, they don't lay their eggs on humans but there are species that can affect humans too.

Eggs grow into larves and when they get mature they can reach a size of 1-2 cm. When left untreated the larves tend to emerge the skin and drop to the ground to continue the life cycle.

Symptoms include itching, sensations of move in the skin and sometimes pain.

Dermatobia hominis is the species that affects humans. These parasites need oxygen in order to develop to they like to resituate in face or other body parts that are uncovered by clothes.

Larvae may get extracted by small incisions. Ivermectin topical or oral may kill the parasite. Died larvae must be removed because they trigger inflammation.

Before admitting psychological issues, we should rule out parasitic manifestations first.

Looking forward to have the requested pictures in.

Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)
I have not done any traveling and my daughter sleeps with me every night and has not gotten it from me..this is my first time on this website, how do I send pictures? Right now I have wet rags, towels, paper towels all over, still having to constantly wipe things off..It won't stop for literally a minute without something itching.the small white hairs seem to form a net underneath the skin.. the skin gets bunched up and the worms/hairs (I don't want to call them worms, I just don't know what else to call them. They move under my skin quite obviously, but once they come out they don't move. I was thinking that they may only surface when they are dead.

Also, it does transfer to my hands. before I used gloves, everytime I washed my face, the palms of my hands would break out.

One other note - when I dab water on my face, anywhere, all the debris/hairs underneath will rise to the surface immediately. Most of it resembles nits from head lice, the only parasite I've had first hand experience with. This was originally diagnosed as scabies, but its obvious even to someone who isn't educated in the subject that my symptoms are no longer fitting scabies.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Can send reports at following e-mail address....

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

Can send the photos at following e-mail address:

YYYY@YYYY

with subject line: "Attn. to Dr.Albana Sejdini".

Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (9 minutes later)
I figured out how to send pics, Im' going through them now to send what I think will be the most helpful.

Its become quite obvious that the white hairs are there to protect whatever is underneath.. They are reproducing faster than I can wipe them off, some literally go shooting off my face because its trying to rebuild so quickly. The one black "worm" I sent is a smaller one, the largest was about 4 times bigger. I'm still looking for better pictures, but please let me know what you are thinking.. For 72 hours straight, no sleep, I have been trying to clean something off my face that is reproducing too fast


I want to make this point as clear as possible: The red irritated spots are NOT caused by me washing it. They are already there and once I get whatever is trapped underneath that particular red spot out, my skin goes back to normal color.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Skin scrapping examination/biopsy as further diagnostic step.....

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

Thank you for providing the requested photo. Unfortunately, I admit their quality was not good enough to detect details.

From what I have seen so far, I noted as following:
- your skin is very dry with flaky white appearance. You should use a hydrant skin cleanser and apply moisturizers each time you wash it.
- the black spot there, seems more like dirties entrapped in the skin. As I cannot touch or close evaluate it, I cannot judge if it is a parasite debris or not for the moment. But, what I think is that the skin in your face is very dry and make it more prone to impurities get entrapped. This explains why the skin gets back to normal after washing and removing the black spots.

At this point, I highly recommend to keep your face well clean and hydrated. If it will persist again, then, examination of skin scrappin is recommended or biopsy as further evaluation.

Can discuss this with your doctor.
Hope it helps.
Dr.Albana
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7303 Questions

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What Causes Hallucinations While Treating Parasitic Infestation?

Brief Answer: Please send the pictures/videos you have.... Detailed Answer: Hi my dear, I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns. Skin parasites are many types and they are usual in tropical countries. If you can send pictures and all medical data you have for your case would be great. Can you please tell if: - you travelled in other places recently? - you have been in contact with other infected people or animals? Cutaneous myiasis involves the larvae's of two-winged flies. These flies are native in South and Central XXXXXXX Usually, they don't lay their eggs on humans but there are species that can affect humans too. Eggs grow into larves and when they get mature they can reach a size of 1-2 cm. When left untreated the larves tend to emerge the skin and drop to the ground to continue the life cycle. Symptoms include itching, sensations of move in the skin and sometimes pain. Dermatobia hominis is the species that affects humans. These parasites need oxygen in order to develop to they like to resituate in face or other body parts that are uncovered by clothes. Larvae may get extracted by small incisions. Ivermectin topical or oral may kill the parasite. Died larvae must be removed because they trigger inflammation. Before admitting psychological issues, we should rule out parasitic manifestations first. Looking forward to have the requested pictures in. Dr.Albana