The sensation of skin crawling can be extremely distressing. It can cause damage to the skin as well as embarrassment to the person suffering from this condition. The sensation of crawling skin may be similar to that of pins and needles or a tingling feeling.

The medical term to explain the crawling sensation on skin is formication. Many researchers believe this is a form of tactile hallucination. Formication may occur because of several reasons including syphilis, high fever, herpes zoster and skin cancer. Formication may also be experienced as a side effect of medication and harmful drugs such as cocaine and opium. Formication may also be experienced as a delusion in those suffering from a mental illness.

The most dangerous effect of formication is scratching. A person affected with this feeling may cause themselves harm in their attempts at ridding themselves of the itchy feelings. Some causes of formication can be treated with medication to reduce this risk.

Causes of Skin Crawling

Apart from some reasons mentioned above, there are several other causes that trigger the sensation of crawling skin. Awareness of these conditions can help diagnose the problem.

Morgellon's Disease - Morgellon's disease is a condition that causes a crawling sensation on the skin. Although there is much controversy about the unexplained skin disorder, researchers at the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that Morgellon's disease is not a disease caused by an infection or parasite. Most researchers believe the sores apparent with the disease are caused by people scratching at their skin. Symptoms of this condition include crawling sensation on skin, skin rashes and sores, extreme fatigue and short-term memory loss. Persons on marijuana and anti-anxiety medications are at risk of developing this disease.

Persons with Morgellon's disease may wish to consult a doctor about their symptoms in order to help alleviate symptoms of the disease. A common medication used for treating Morgellon's disease is NutraSilver.

Menopause - Skin crawling is a common problem with women going through menopause. Menopause is a time where a woman's monthly menstruation cycle ceases. This causes a variety of changes in a woman's body, including hot flashes, itchy skin, vaginal dryness, etc. All these changes occur in menopausal women due to hormone changes. Women experiencing difficulty with these problems should consider the various forms of treatment available to them.

Menopausal women suffering with the sensation of crawling skin may find relief by way of hormone replacement therapy. Hormone replacement therapy provides natural or artificial replacement hormones when the body stops producing them.

Allergies - A common cause for the sensation of crawling skin is an allergy. Sometimes, contact with allergens such as fabrics and detergents may cause itching and a crawling sensation on the skin. These allergy conditions may also occur with certain foods.

Persons suffering with allergies causing skin irritation should identify the allergen and avoid contact with it as much as possible. A doctor may sometimes prescribe antihistamine medication for allergies.

Other Health Conditions - Health conditions including mercury poisoning, skin cancer, syphilis, diabetic neuropathy, Lyme disease or herpes zoster can cause the skin to develop an uncomfortable crawling sensation.

Medications - A crawling sensation on the skin is a common side effect of Ritalin or Adderall. Some prescription drugs may also list this as a side effect. Taking amphetamines or cocaine can also cause a crawling sensation on the skin.

Withdrawal Symptoms - When a patient is experiencing withdrawal from opioids, amphetamines or cocaine it can cause the patient to experience a skin crawling sensation. Alcoholics attempting to recover from their condition can also experience this condition. On some occasions this can manifest itself as a hallucination of bugs crawling on the skin.

Living with the sensation of crawling skin can be extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, persons experiencing this condition should consider medical attention in order to avoid further discomfort.

Discussions(8) Add New
  1. Parveen August 27, 2011 10:45 PM Reply

    It can be the symptom of Morgellons. Though I do not have a vast idea about Morgellos, I have known about it as you were feeling in the way that you described. After going through the article I came to know that according to the doctor, Morgellons are based on the Lyme disease. I do not know whether it is the only reason. I know well that it is the actual happening and it does not belong to the psychological matter. Yes, i feel like something is crawling on me.

  2. Ephraim January 03, 2012 02:44 AM Reply

    My age is only fourteen years. I understand that i feel like something is crawling on my skin. I got this type of feelings at the age of thirteen. I have not taken care of it still now. This sensation is on my entire body. However, when I rest in the bed during the night time, I do not find any marks. Because of a child of the military, I have not left the states ever. Hence, I have not seized any idea about it. Please provide some findings about it.

  3. Namrata January 16, 2012 11:45 PM Reply

    I can feel something is crawling under my skin. I am in doubt whether the people considered the detergent or not while washing the clothes. Go for a trial. Pick your clothes after appearing from the washing machine. Rinse them and find out the amount of soap is still over there. The tasks of the detergents are to stop working the fats and it continues doing so over our bodies during the time of sweating. These enable the residue in the clothes. The problem is that you cannot find out any laundry soap that is available without the detergents as they were like seventy five years back. Thus, we bear. Thanks!

  4. Szerv February 13, 2012 04:47 PM Reply

    When i feel like ants are crawling on me, I can think of histamine therapy and tailor-made allergy drops as the environmental doctor prescribed them. You do not need to deal with the different doctors as sometimes they can act as dumb.
    .

  5. Punita May 21, 2012 01:30 PM Reply

    As I felt something like crawling on the skin, I fully altered the diet; it became vegetable based and in the percentile form it is 80%. I have them in raw condition so far I can do. I concentrate on higher nutritious Greens and I have a green smoothie regularly. There are no processed foods, high salt, sugar and dairy. I seldom take gluten based foods. For further information you can visit the site of Dr. Mercola.

  6. Runako June 28, 2012 10:44 AM Reply

    I have informed the forum about my symptoms. There is a sensation of skin crawling. It creates something multiple issues that cause the unbearable itching and the intense misery. Some things made me have some reliefs. You have to have the healthy diet; take the histamine therapy and allergy drops. I stopped taking Hairspray and all sorts of fragrances.

  7. Uthman July 04, 2012 07:57 AM Reply

    It seems that Airwick can work some way. It is roughly summer here. I turn on the AC; shut the windows, and Airwick seems that it cools the hurricane. I can still sense all; however, there is very light. I cannot see them further. There is something like crawling feeling. It is just on one occasion in a while. I have been during this situation for four days. I alter my diet entirely. I began to take the wormwood combination along with ‘neem’ as the supplements. This article sounds something amazing.

  8. Ashamed July 18, 2012 10:40 AM Reply

    I can see the black dots everywhere. It can be the floor of the bathroom, in the living room or in the computer zone. It is perhaps the skin crawling. These are fresh now while brushing my head. They are falling in the sink. Do you use brushes for your teeth?