What Does It Mean by Formication?
The sensation of insects crawling across or beneath the skin is known as formication. The Latin word "formica," which means ant, is the source of the name.
Paresthesia is a type of formication. When a person experiences sensations on their skin that have no physical cause, they have paresthesia. There are numerous types of paresthesia. Burning, tingling, or numbness are all examples. Affected individuals may also refer to the "crawling" sensation as "pins and needles" during formication.
Tactile hallucination is another name for formication. This indicates experiencing a sensation without a physical cause. To process signals from the tactile sense, also known as the sense of touch, certain brain regions collaborate. When brain regions behave as if they are processing signals from the body despite the absence of such signals, this condition is known as tactile hallucination. Since the brain is behaving like it is getting signals, these hallucinations feel totally genuine. They may make it difficult for someone who struggles with these hallucinations to distinguish between what is real and what is not. Individuals who experience these hallucinations frequently feel a quick and, surprisingly, wild desire to scratch or pick at the area of skin impacted.
Formication can indicate a number of conditions. Parkinson's disease and fibromyalgia are two examples of these conditions. Formication can also occur when a person stops drinking or using drugs.
What Are the Symptoms of Formication?
The sensation of bugs crawling on or beneath the skin is the most common symptom of formication. The person also feels itchy as a result of this feeling. Even if there is no actual cause of the itch, this may cause them to scratch the area of their skin where they feel it.
Skin damage and open cuts can result from persistent scratching or picking to alleviate an itchy sensation. Other conditions, such as skin ulcers or open wounds, can develop from these open cuts if they become infected. Also, formication is most common at night.
Depending on the underlying cause, formication may occur simultaneously with other symptoms. Other signs and symptoms include:
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Pain experienced throughout the body.
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Feeling of exhaustion.
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Feeling stiff.
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Trouble concentrating (frequently called "fibro fog" on account of fibromyalgia).
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Tremors or hand or finger shaking.
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Slowing down over time (bradykinesia).
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Feeling of depression.
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Being agitated or enraged.
What Causes Formication?
Formication can be caused by the following conditions:
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Parkinson’s disease (a condition that affects movement, often resulting in tremors, that affects the central nervous system).
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Fibromyalgia (widespread tenderness and pain in the muscles).
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Anxiety (a feeling of dread, fear, and uneasiness).
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Diabetic neuropathy (a kind of nerve damage that diabetes can cause).
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Herpes zoster (an acute, cutaneous viral infection characterized by a painful rash brought on by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus).
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Lyme disease (a disease spread by ticks and brought on by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, characterized by fever, headache, and skin rash).
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Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer, which can manifest as an open sore, a firm red bump, a scaly red patch, or a wart that can crust or bleed easily, or a scaly red patch).
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Perimenopause (refers to the natural transition towards the end of reproductive years, when the body enters menopause).
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Formication can also be brought on by alcohol withdrawal, also known as delirium tremens.
Formication can indicate either recreational or prescription drug use. Formication can also result from withdrawal following the cessation of the use of certain drugs. Some of these drugs are:
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Eszopiclone - Prescription sedative-hypnotic medication used for the treatment of insomnia.
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Methylphenidate - Central nervous system stimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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Bupropion - Antidepressant prescription medication also used for smoking cessation.
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Ecstasy - 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or MDMA (stimulant drug causing hallucinations).
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Cocaine - Central nervous system stimulant.
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Crystal Meth - Highly addictive drug that causes potent stimulation of the central nervous system.
How Is Formication Diagnosed?
During the appointment, the doctor will ask about the following:
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Any additional symptoms being noticed along with formication.
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What time of the day are the crawling sensations most pronounced?
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Any additional medications that the person may be taking and whether they noticed any symptoms after starting those medications.
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Usage of any recreational psychoactive substances.
By providing the doctor with a complete picture of the symptoms, one can help them identify additional symptoms of
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Any underlying condition.
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An adverse reaction to medication.
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Complications from using certain drugs.
Scabies-like symptoms are shared by formication. This condition occurs when eggs laid by tiny mites burrow into the skin. The doctor must look for signs that may indicate that the symptoms are not caused by actual insects.
How to Treat Formication?
Depending on the cause, treating formication can take many different forms.
When a Medical Condition Causes Formication?
Treatment for formication depends on the cause. Fibromyalgia, diabetic neuropathy, and Parkinson's disease may necessitate a long-term treatment strategy to manage symptoms and complications. Formication caused by skin cancer may be treated with radiation therapy.
In some instances, an antihistamine like Cetirizine or Diphenhydramine can help alleviate the crawling sensation. To avoid severe itching episodes, it is recommended to take these as soon as the sensation begins.
When Formication Occurs Due to Prescription or Recreational Drugs?
If taking prescription or recreational drugs is the cause of formication, quitting that drug may help to get rid of it completely. However, discontinuing prescription medication without first consulting a physician is not recommended. In the event that the prescribed medication is for a different condition, they might suggest an alternative that does not cause side effects.
Addiction to drugs like cocaine and meth can be treated with rehabilitation. There are numerous drug addiction support groups. These can give the person a place to share their experiences as they stop using drugs.
Conclusion
Formication is a sign of a problem that lies beneath the surface and can be fixed. Certain medications and abstinence from recreational drug use typically aid in eliminating this crawling sensation completely. If a person experiences recurring episodes of formication, it is best to see a doctor. They can come up with a diagnosis and a treatment plan that might be able to get rid of the feeling completely.
