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Tingling, a tactile hallucination that feels like insects crawling on or under the skin, can be caused by medical problems, drugs, or be a symptom of delusional parasitosis. Treatment options depend on the cause and may include medication and medical procedures. Patients may also need treatment for injuries caused by scratching.
Tingling is a form of tactile hallucination characterized by the sensation that insects are crawling on or under the skin. The name of this phenomenon comes from the Latin word for “ant,” and people can describe ants specifically or any number of insects. Additionally, this hallucination may involve non-insect life, such as worms. People who experience this form of hallucination can be treated, with a number of treatment options available, depending on the cause.
Several underlying medical problems can be linked to pins and needles, including neuropathies, high fever, syphilis, skin cancer, and shingles. Additionally, people sometimes experience the condition as an adverse drug reaction, with various medications being linked to this phenomenon. People who use cocaine, methamphetamine, and some other illegal drugs can also experience tactile hallucinations of this type. Other hallucinations may also accompany the sensation that bugs are crawling all over the skin.
In some cases, the tingling leads to delusional parasitosis. The patient becomes convinced that he has been colonized by parasites, insisting on treatment even when the doctor finds no signs. Some patients even store samples in small boxes or paper bags, taking them to the doctor and asking for them to be tested. Since the doctor cannot find anything to cure, the patient may be sent home empty-handed, himself complaining of incompetent medical care, and the patient may make numerous medical appointments in an attempt to find a doctor who can find parasites of which the patient is certain are present.
In addition to causing delusional parasitosis, tingling can also lead to serious injury as patients scratch in an attempt to combat the itchy, crawling sensation. Patients have been known to cut themselves during tingling attacks, with the aim of removing insects or other organisms that the patient thinks are causing the sensation. This can lead to infections, especially in illegal drug users, who may find themselves in dirty environments where infectious agents are abundant.
Addressing the tingling requires treating the cause. If, for example, it is caused by medications, a switch of medication can be used to resolve the hallucinations. Medications and medical procedures used to manage the itching and tingling associated with neuropathies may also be employed to treat the condition. It is important for patients to also receive treatment for cuts and scrapes, and if a patient cannot stop scratching, cutting, or scratching, restraints may need to be used to allow the patient’s skin to heal.
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