Ekbom syndrome: a disease between dermatology and psychiatry
Simonetti, V.; Strippoli, D.; Pinciara, B.; Spreafico, A.; Motolese, A.
Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia Organo Ufficiale Societa Italiana di Dermatologia e Sifilografia 143(6): 415-419
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-0488 PMID: 19169214 Document Number: 621140
The Ekbom syndrome or parasitosis delirium represents a rare mono-symptomatic psychosis characterized by the delirious firm belief of the patient, against all evidence, of being infested by cutaneous parasites. The syndrome affects in particular middle-aged women, and can be the single manifestation of psychological uneasiness or represent one of the aspects of a more complex psychiatric case, compromising almost totally any normal daily work and/or social activity. The authors present a recently observed clinical case and discuss the clinical-diagnostic and therapeutic aspects.