Background:

Ekbom syndrome is a rare psychiatric disease characterized by the unwavering conviction of having the skin infested of insects or parasites, without deterioration of the rest of the functions.

Objective:

to present a typical case of an uncommon disorder, of interest for dermatologists and psychiatrists.

Clinical case:

51 years old white, female patient, nurse, with a history of mental health, who shortly after divorcing presented itching of the skin of the thighs, trunk and arms, considering herself infested by insects and tried to extract them with a needle of insulin. She went to the Dermatology consultation with a sample of what was obtained (matchbox sign) at the beginning, she was reluctant to go to the psychiatrist. The dermatological examination revealed self-inflicted skin lesions on the thighs, trunk and arms. On psychiatric examination: paresthesias, hypochondriac delusional idea, affective lability, dysphoria, hypobulia, delusional hallucinatory splitting. Critical judgment absent. Altered relationship functions. She was treated with thioridazine 50 mg daily. The case meets all the clinical characteristics described. It was compared with other published cases and similar manifestations, and with others that differed in sex and age.

Conclusions:

Ekbom syndrome is a rare psychiatric condition that is difficult to treat and represents a challenge for the patient and his doctor. Due to its infrequency and unusual characteristics, it must be identified by family doctors and other specialists.

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