Have you ever felt like there was a swarm of ants crawling under or on your skin? Or a strange, uncomfortable feeling like a spider or a worm crawling under your skin? In fact, there is no such thing. This can be a very disturbing and sometimes frightening experience. So today we are talking about this strange feeling, which is called 'Formication' in medical science.
What is Formication? What is it really?
Simply put, Formication is the false sensation of insects crawling or walking on, in, or under your skin, without the presence of any real animals. We consider this a tactile hallucination. The name Formication comes from the Latin word 'formica', which means "ant".
Now you might be thinking, "Then why do I feel this?" Well, the sense of touch in our body is controlled by special parts of the brain. For some reason, these parts start to act as if there is a signal, even when there is no signal from the body. It's like a false alarm. Because the brain is tricked in this way, the feeling you're feeling feels 100% real .
Remember, this is something you really feel. It's not something you've imagined. It's just a faulty signal from your brain.
When this feeling comes, there is a strong urge to scratch, pick, and dig at the area uncontrollably. Some people try to pull out the 'animal' they think is under the skin. This can cause skin damage, bleeding, and even serious infections.
Why is this happening? What are the main reasons?
There is not one single cause of formication, but several factors can contribute to it. Let's look at the main causes.
| Reason category | Description and examples |
|---|---|
| Drug use or withdrawal | The main cause is the use of stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. It can also occur after drinking too much alcohol and then suddenly stopping (withdrawal). It can also occur as a side effect of some medications (e.g., some antidepressants, medications for epilepsy). |
| Mental health conditions | This is commonly seen with a condition called psychosis. Formication occurs with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and delusional parasitosis (a strong belief in the presence of parasites in the body). |
| Diseases of the nervous system | This condition can also be caused by diseases that affect the brain or nervous system. Examples: Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, head injuries. |
| Other physical illnesses | This symptom can also occur in conditions such as diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid problems, some types of cancer (e.g., lymphoma), and the skin disease Dermatitis Herpetiformis. |
| Vitamin deficiencies | A deficiency in vitamin B12 or B9 (folate) in the body can also cause formication. |
Could the medication you are taking be the cause?
Yes. Sometimes this can occur as a side effect of a medication you are taking for another condition.
- Antidepressants
- Medications for epilepsy or Parkinson's disease
- Stimulant medications (e.g., some medications for attention problems)
- Some antibiotics and antifungals
If you experience any of these symptoms after starting a new medication, never stop taking it on your own . Tell your doctor right away. He or she will adjust the dosage or prescribe another suitable medication.
How is this treated?
Formication is a symptom, not a disease. Therefore, treatment depends on the underlying cause .
- If the cause is a medication: The doctor will stop the medication and give you a different medication, or change the dosage.
- If the cause is a physical illness: When that illness (e.g. diabetes, thyroid) is properly treated, this symptom will also decrease.
- If the cause is a mental health issue: These hallucinations can be controlled by seeing a psychiatrist and receiving the necessary treatment (medication, counseling) for the condition.
- If the cause is drugs: The only solution is to completely abstain from drug use. For this, it is essential to seek qualified medical advice and rehabilitation services.
The most important thing is to definitely see a doctor to find out the exact cause, without trying to treat this yourself at home.
How do you recognize an emergency?
Sometimes, formication can be a warning sign of a very dangerous situation . If you experience the following symptoms along with the feeling of an animal crawling on your body, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately .
1. Symptoms of Stroke
Use the word "FAST" to remember the symptoms of a stroke.
| Letter | Meaning and testing |
|---|---|
| F - Face | Ask the person to smile. Look for a drooping or drooping side of the face. |
| A - Arms | Tell them to hold both arms out in front of them. See if one arm falls down uncontrollably. |
| S - Speech | Ask them to say a simple sentence. See if they slur their words, stutter, or have difficulty speaking. |
| T - Time | Time is of the essence! If you see any of these symptoms, take them to the hospital without delay. |
2. Symptoms of a drug overdose
- Intense anxiety, agitation, fear
- Chest pain or tightness
- Increased breathing rate
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat
- Illusions (especially those related to the skin)
How can you help someone close to you if they have these symptoms?
A person with psychosis with formication cannot understand that what they are feeling is not real. It is a completely real experience for them. So we need to be very patient when helping them.
- Don't argue: Arguing that "there are no such animals" won't help. It will only make them feel more isolated. Instead, say something like, "I understand how difficult it must be for you to feel that way."
- Listen: Listen carefully to what they have to say. Make them feel that you are willing to help.
- Seek medical help: "Should we see a doctor and find out what's causing this?" suggest lovingly.
- Stay calm: If they are upset, you should stay calm and reassure them. Give them a sense of security.
- Call for help in an emergency: If the person is trying to harm themselves or is a threat to others, call emergency services immediately.
Take-Home Message
- Formication is a false sensation of insects crawling on your body. This is something you actually feel, not just an imagination.
- Drugs, certain medications, mental illnesses, neurological diseases, and a number of other physical illnesses can cause this.
- If you have this symptom, don't try to find solutions on your own, but definitely see a doctor to find out the cause.
- If this feeling occurs with symptoms of a stroke or drug overdose, it is an emergency. Go to the ETU immediately.
- If someone close to you has this condition, help them get medical help with patience and love, without arguing.
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