Usually there is no insect but is a physical, physiological or psychological stimulus. Dry, sensitive skin is particularly susceptible to these sensations. Particles impinging on the skin as a result of static electricity may be perceived as “bites” or “stings.” This is particularly true of materials with sharp projections such as paper, metal, and fiberglass fragments. Carpet fibers also may be attracted to lower portions of the body because of static electricity, and these too can feel like pinpricks.
Table 1. Common attributes of DP sufferersa
A. Most common in older people (Lyell 1983, Webb 1993, Trabert 1995, Goddard 1995, White 1997)
B. Disproportionately female (St. Aubin 1981, Lyell 1983, Webb 1993, Trabert 1995)
C. Exhibit behaviors such as:
(1) quitting their jobs (Monk and Rao 1994, Goddard 1995 )
(2) burn/destroy furniture (St. Aubin 1981, Lyell 1983, Gieler and Knoll 1990, Goddard 1995)
(3) abandon homes (Waldron 1962, Lyell 1983, Driscoll et al. 1993, Goddard 1995)
(4) obsessive laundering/dry cleaning (St. Aubin 1981, Lyell 1983) boil clothing and bed linens
(Ebeling 1978)
(5) use pesticides dangerously/repeatedly (Lyell 1983, Goddard 1995, White 1997); repeated
applications of insecticides to body (Monk and Rao 1994); have used Kwell©, Elimite®
(Webb 1993)
(6) use home remedies (St. Aubin 1981, Lynch 1993):
a. gasoline (St. Aubin 1981, Koblenzer 1993, Monk and Rao 1994)
b. kerosene (St. Aubin 1981, Lynch 1993)
c. other solvents (St. Aubin 1981, Lynch 1993)
d. harsh cleaning compounds (St. Aubin 1981, Lyell 1983)
(7) mutilate body attempting to remove offending vermin (St. Aubin 1981, Lyell 1983, Zanol et
al. 1998)
D. Provide skin scrapings, bits of debris (in paper, small jars) (Pomerantz 1959, Waldron 1962, Lyell
1983, Goddard 1995) “One characteristic sign in delusory parasitosis is the complainant’s
eagerness to provide samples of their alleged parasites in small containers” (May and Terpenning
1991). Samples provided in adhesive tape, plastic bags, or vacuum bags (Webb 1993, Koblenzer
1993, White 1997) “there are millions of them”-yet specimen cannot be obtained
E. Can provide extensive, elaborate, involved descriptions of the pests, their life cycle, and behaviors
(Lynch 1993, Monk and Rao 1994, Zanol et al. 1998)
F. Social isolation (Koblenzer 1993, Trabert 1995), self-employed (Lyell 1983), abandon family to
avoid infesting them (Lynch 1993, Monk and Rao 1994)
G. Emotional trauma such as job loss, divorce/separation (Lyell 1983, Grace and Wood 1987, Webb
1993, Lynch 1993)
H. Have seen numerous physicians, all to no avail (Driscoll et al. 1993, Lyell 1983)
I. Mean duration of delusion was 3.0 ± 4.6 years (median, I year) (Trabert 1995); “Years of
suffering” (Pomerantz 1959, Driscoll et al. 1993), 12-year history (Monk and Rao 1994), 40 years
(Poorbaugh 1993)
J. Complain of “itching, crawling, pinprick biting sensations” (White 1997), “formication” (Koo and
Gambla 1996)
K. Reject possibility of psychological or other explanations (Trabert 1995) “I’m not crazy.” “I am not
imagining this.” Vehemence indicative of DP (Zanol et al. 1998). “ Exceptional strength of
conviction regarding infestation” (Lynch 1993) almost diagnostic for DP (Webb 1993)
L. Express desperation, “you are my last hope” (Nutting and Beerman 1983, Lynch 1993)
M. Delusion eventually shared by another family member (St. Aubin 1981) in up to 1/3 of cases
(Koblenzer 1993)
Citations are illustrative of some of the published descriptions
I feel frustrated sometimes in dealing with this issue but I have come to the conclusion that I am good at what I do. I Exterminate and eliminate Bed Bugs. I am not a Doctor Or Psychologist. However I do have an avenue to hopefully steer these people in the right direction.
