Formication is a form of tactile hallucination. Tactile means the sense of touch. Hallucination means experiencing something that isn't really there. This can be upsetting and frustrating. Formication may be linked to:
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Mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or schizophrenia
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Neurological conditions such as stroke, dementia, encephalitis, meningitis, or Parkinson disease
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Substance use or withdrawal. This includes methamphetamine use, alcohol withdrawal, and acute cocaine use (known as cocaine bugs)
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Use of certain medicines or withdrawal of some medicines
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Medical conditions like vitamin deficiencies or anemia
People who have formication report a feeling that insects are crawling on or under the skin when there are none present. It may be described as crawling, itching, tingling, or prickly. It causes a strong urge to scratch the skin. This can often lead to skin damage or infection.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. This may include:
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Treating the medical condition that may be causing the tactile hallucinations.
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Stopping or changing prescribed medicines. These may include antipsychotics or antidepressants, or a change in medicines.
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Stopping illegal drugs, if substance use is the cause.
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Substance use treatment. If formication is related to substance abuse or withdrawal, professional treatment can help.
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Cognitive behavioral therapy if formication is caused by a mental health issue. Talk to a therapist or counselor to help you change negative thought patterns and behaviors to help cope with this condition.
Home care
It’s important to try to avoid scratching. To do this:
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Try gently massaging or tapping the area instead.
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Consider wearing a light compression garment over the affected area. This can provide a constant, gentle pressure.
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Keep your skin clean and moisturized using gentle unscented soaps and lotions. Use warm, not hot, water.
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Keep your nails short to reduce skin damage.
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Use distraction to manage symptoms. Read, listen to music, or watch a movie to take your mind off it.
Lifestyle changes including stress management, good sleep hygiene, eating healthy, and other efforts to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
Call 911
Call
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Sudden new problems with:
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Speech
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Confusion
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Vision
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Walking
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Coordination
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Facial droop
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Weakness or numbness on 1 side of your body
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Severe headache, fainting spell, dizziness, or seizure
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Chest pain or shortness of breath
When to get medical care
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
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Your symptoms get worse
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Your skin becomes damaged or infected
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You feel anxious or depressed because of your symptoms
Formication can be a sign of an underlying problem. So you may need testing to rule out causes.
Crisis care
Call
Call
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Have suicidal thoughts, a suicide plan, and a way to carry out the plan
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Have serious thoughts of hurting someone else
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Have serious emotional distress
Date Last Reviewed: 10/01/2023
© 2000-2025 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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