Delusional Infestation and Chronic Pruritus: A Review.

Delusional Infestation and Chronic Pruritus: A Review.
Acta Derm Venereol. 2015 Sep 4;
Authors: Kimsey LS
Abstract
The chronic pruritus, paresthesia and delusional infestation literature indicates that a wide variety of conditions ranging from AIDs to vitamin deficiencies cause paresthesia, delusional infestation and pruritus. In many, or perhaps most of these cases, activation of itch pathways seems to be the underlying cause of the skin sensations and perhaps even the visual hallucinations characteristic of delusional infestation. The principle difference between diagnoses of chronic pruritus and delusional infestation appears to lie in the patient's interpretation of the cause of the symptoms, rather than underlying physiological differences. Delusional infestation, paresthesia and chronic pruritus must be considered symptoms of underlying conditions.
PMID: 26337109 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica - September 4, 2015 Category: Dermatology Authors: Kimsey LS Tags: Acta Derm Venereol Source Type: research