Delirio parasitario dermatozoico. Reporte de un caso.

Julio Torales; A Arce; L Bolla; L González; B Di Martino; M Rodríguez; O Knopfelmacher

doi:10.18004/

Authors

Julio Torales Cátedra y Servicio de Psiquiatría. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción
A Arce Cátedra y Servicio de Psiquiatría. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción
L Bolla Cátedra y Servicio de Dermatología. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción
L González Cátedra y Servicio de Dermatología. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción
B Di Martino Cátedra y Servicio de Dermatología. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción
M Rodríguez Cátedra y Servicio de Dermatología. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción
O Knopfelmacher Cátedra y Servicio de Dermatología. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Universidad Nacional de Asunción

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18004/

Keywords:

pruritus, erythema, parasitic infestation, delusions, risperidone, Paraguay

Abstract

We report the case of a woman who complained of intense pruritus on the upper and lower lids of both eyes and severe erythema that appeared after scratching. In the interview, the patient reported that these injuries were caused by "bugs and worms that were in her skin and around her eyes. The bugs bit her and forced her to scratch her skin in order to get them out". There was no evidence of parasitic infestation. The psychological examination revealed the presence of delusions of parasite infestation and Delusional Parasitic Infestation was diagnosed. The Delusional Parasitic Infestation, also known as Ekbom syndrome, is classified within the Caroline Koblenzer’s strictly psychiatric skin conditions, in which the patient has a delusion of being infested by insects, worms or lice that inhabit and damage the skin. In most cases, the prognosis is favorable and the disorder has good response to risperidone, as long as the affected patients are adequately treated in a multidisciplinary manner by dermatologists and psychiatrists with expertise in this disease.

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