skin disorders
Delusional Parasitosis
Diagnosis of Delusional Parasitosis
A doctor's evaluation Delusional parasitosis is sometimes difficult for doctors to diagnose because many actual skin disorders, such as allergies, dermatitis, or real parasites, also cause the itching sensations. Also, skin sores or irritation caused by the person's scratching and use of chemicals may look like other skin disorders. Doctors base the diagnosis on a physical examination and the person's history, including any history of medication or substance use or mental disorders. Doctors may do skin scrapings and sometimes blood tests to rule out real infestations and other diseases. If a real infestation has been ruled out, examination by a doctor who specializes in mental health conditions (psychiatrist) may be helpful to determine whether delusional parasitosis is part of a mental health condition. 