Recently experienced repeated sensations of insects crawling on my neck and now also on the back of my right hand. I'm forever scratching and checking for insects but have yet to find any. Google gives 'Formication' as an explanation. How common is this? Do other members experience similar? Suffer is too strong a word. At least, at present!

27 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

How common is this? Do other members experience similar?

 

How serious is formication?

 

 

Formication isn't a symptom you should try to treat at home, as it takes a trained healthcare provider to determine what's causing it. You should also seek medical attention if you have this symptom unexpectedly, as this symptom can happen with certain dangerous conditions like stroke or drug overdoses.

7 minutes ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

How serious is formication?

Formication isn't a symptom you should try to treat at home, as it takes a trained healthcare provider to determine what's causing it. You should also seek medical attention if you have this symptom unexpectedly, as this symptom can happen with certain dangerous conditions like stroke or drug overdoses.

Thank you. However, that is, of course, assuming the cause actually is formication. I was really asking if any other members experience similar? It maybe that my relatively minor symptoms are indications of something else?

I got that after the hospital injected me with morphine.

Every time!

 

Lasted 6hrs, I preferred the pain to the crawling sensation.

48 minutes ago, The Fugitive said:

Recently experienced repeated sensations of insects crawling on my neck and now also on the back of my right hand. I'm forever scratching and checking for insects but have yet to find any. Google gives 'Formication' as an explanation. How common is this? Do other members experience similar? Suffer is too strong a word. At least, at present!

A Scanner Darkly?  Been to California lately.  Maybe it's Califormication. 

6 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I got that after the hospital injected me with morphine.

Every time!

Allergies to opioids aren't that rare.  

8 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

You're describing a sensation known as formication, which is the feeling of insects crawling on or under the skin without any actual bugs being present. It's a form of paresthesia, like tingling, prickling, or pins and needles. You’re right to look into it—many people experience it at some point, and it can have a wide range of causes, from harmless to more serious.

How Common Is It?

Formication is not rare, but it's not something everyone experiences regularly. It's more of a symptom than a condition itself and appears in various contexts:

1. Mild or Situational Causes (more common)

• Stress or anxiety

• Fatigue

• Skin dryness or irritation

• Caffeine or stimulant use

• Temporary circulation issues (e.g., sleeping awkwardly)

2. Neurological or Medical Causes (less common, but important to rule out)

• Peripheral neuropathy (often from diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, etc.)

• Menopause (due to hormonal changes)

• Withdrawal (from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or stimulants)

• Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis

• Delusional parasitosis (a psychiatric condition where the person believes they are infested with parasites)

What You’re Describing

• Neck and back of hand: These are exposed and sensitive areas, often subject to tension or dryness, which can enhance such sensations.

• No visible bugs or rash: That’s consistent with formication.

• “Forever scratching and checking”: Shows that it's interfering with your peace of mind but not necessarily distressing yet—important distinction.

• “Suffer is too strong a word”: Good perspective. You’re aware and monitoring, which is smart.

Do Others Experience It?

Yes—on forums, support groups, and even Reddit, many people share similar stories. Some feel it during high stress, others in bed at night, and some describe it as a fleeting annoyance or as part of a broader condition like fibromyalgia or anxiety.

---

Should You Be Concerned?

Not necessarily. If:

• It’s occasional or mild

• Not getting worse

• No other symptoms (numbness, weakness, severe itching, visible skin changes)

Then it could be due to simple causes like stress or skin sensitivity.

But if it:

• Becomes persistent or intense

• Spreads or comes with other neurological symptoms

• Affects sleep or mental health

Then it’s worth speaking with a GP or neurologist. They might run a basic neurological exam or check blood work for vitamin B12, thyroid, or glucose levels.

---

What Can You Do for Now?

• Keep the skin moisturized (especially on the neck and hands)

• Avoid stimulants if possible (like caffeine or decongestants)

• Track when it happens (time of day, activity, stress level)

• Manage stress (breathing, exercise, relaxation techniques)

• Consider trying a cool compress or anti-itch lotion—even if there's no rash, it may help retrain the sensation.

Would you like help creating a symptom tracker or checklist to monitor it over time?

Wow! And thank you most kindly! Exactly the advice I was looking for. I have now applied Aloe Vera liberally and will continue to do so. I will keep a record of future developments myself (hopefully improvement) and thank you for your kind offer to assist.

11 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Wow! And thank you most kindly!

 

Courtesy of ChatGPT.

 

 

Meaningless post removed 

 

 

4 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Wow! And thank you most kindly! Exactly the advice I was looking for. I have now applied Aloe Vera liberally and will continue to do so. I will keep a record of future developments myself (hopefully improvement) and thank you for your kind offer to assist.

Another thing that works for skin issues is coconut oil.  Just rub it in. And you'll smell good to boot!

6 hours ago, The Fugitive said:

Thank you. However, that is, of course, assuming the cause actually is formication. I was really asking if any other members experience similar? It maybe that my relatively minor symptoms are indications of something else?

Formication is not a cause.

 

It is just the medical word for your symptom. 

 

The cause needs to be ascertained and treated.

 

First, consider possible reaction to a drug, either medical or recreational. 

 

If not due to that, should consult a neurologist. 

 

 

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Formication is not a cause.

 

It is just the medical word for your symptom. 

 

The cause needs to be ascertained and treated.

 

First, consider possible reaction to a drug, either medical or recreational. 

 

If not due to that, should consult a neurologist.

Thanks Sheryl, I don't take any medication or recreational drugs. Too much tea and coffee maybe. Strangely, I haven't had any repetition since rubbing in lots of Aloe Vera.

Formication?

 

Oops, only opened this thread because I misread the title 😳

On 8/15/2025 at 10:55 PM, lamyai3 said:

Formication?

 

Oops, only opened this thread because I misread the title 😳

I thought it was going to be about immigration adding more forms to fill out...

2 minutes ago, rwill said:

I thought it was going to be about immigration adding more forms to fill out...

Me too 🥳😂🙏🌞

On 8/15/2025 at 1:48 PM, The Fugitive said:

Recently experienced repeated sensations of insects crawling on my neck and now also on the back of my right hand. I'm forever scratching and checking for insects but have yet to find any. Google gives 'Formication' as an explanation. How common is this? Do other members experience similar? Suffer is too strong a word. At least, at present!

When I was stationed in the gulf in 1970, a friend of mine started to suffer from the sensation of having insects all over him. He went along to sick quarters and the medic said it was salt deprivation.   A couple of salt tablets and he was ok.

I know it is not the only cause but worth considering.

On 8/15/2025 at 10:55 PM, lamyai3 said:

Formication?

 

Oops, only opened this thread because I misread the title 😳

Me Too,I thought the OP had mispelt FORNICATION Just like you !!

9 hours ago, rwill said:

I thought it was going to be about immigration adding more forms to fill out...

Yes, I was also triggered by that word and thought of Formica, a material used for finishing.

On 8/20/2025 at 3:20 AM, sandyf said:

When I was stationed in the gulf in 1970, a friend of mine started to suffer from the sensation of having insects all over him. He went along to sick quarters and the medic said it was salt deprivation.   A couple of salt tablets and he was ok.

I know it is not the only cause but worth considering.

Many thanks, most helpful. I have recently returned to the UK from Thailand hence change in my diet. Definitely less sugar and probably less salt too. I have been using moisturiser (Aloe Vera) which has reduced the frequency considerably. As you say, it could be a combination of causes.