dermatologic disorders
Delusional Parasitosis
Introduction
In delusional parasitosis, patients mistakenly believe that they are infested with parasites. Patients with delusional parasitosis have an unshakable belief that they are infested with insects, worms, mites, lice, or other organisms. They often provide vivid descriptions of how the organisms enter their skin and move around their bodies and bring samples of hair, skin, and debris such as dried scabs, dust, and lint on slides or in containers (the matchbox sign) to prove that the infestation is real. The condition is considered a somatoform type of delusional disorder. Patients may have other psychiatric or physical disorders (eg, structural brain disorders, toxic psychosis) ( General reference ). 