A rarely known topic 'delusional parasitosis': A case report

Abstract

Delusional parasitosis (DP) is a delusional disorder with a false belief that the person is infected by parasites or living small creatures, although there is no medical evidence. Although DP has been named as Ekbom disease and psychogenic parasitosis for more than 100 years, the clinic features still remains unclear. Most of the patients with delusional parasitosis are 50-70 years old, married and well educated women. DP's etiology can be classified as primary or secondary. Symptoms in secondary delusional parasitosis occur due to general medical, neurological and psychiatric disorders. Although delusional parasitosis has insidious onset and chronic course, it is sometimes seen in acute onset. Although DP is a psychiatric disease, patients mostly appeal to dermatologists, family physicians and infectious diseases specialists. DP should be evaluated by psychiatrists but unfortunately they are usually evaluated by dermatology and infectious diseases and because of this reason, diagnosis and treatment are delayed.