When a beetle, spider, or other creepy crawlies scurry past you, it is usual to have a crawling sensation on your scalp or body for a while, especially if the insect has passed through your skin.
Although it is normal for a short time to feel something crawling on your scalp or body after an encounter with creepy crawlies, some people live chronically with this unpleasant feeling. The scientific name of this sensation is “Formication.” Furthermore, this state is also called “Tactile Hallucination.” The term Formication comes from the Latin word “Formica,” which means ant. It implies the sensation when ants move on the skin.
In this article, we are going to examine the reasons for crawling sensation and the treatments.
Reasons for Crawling Sensation on Scalp
Most of the reasons for the crawling sensation are unrealistic. This means that no external factor exists for this feeling, and what one feels is just paraesthesia.
What Is Paraesthesia?
Paraesthesia is an unpleasant sensation on the skin for no physical reason. Tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness are some of these unpleasant sensations. Paraesthesia can occur anywhere on the body, but is more common in the arms and legs.
What is remarkable, though, is that the crawling sensation on the scalp as well as other parts of the body can be real. In other words, parasites and small creatures may move under your skin, which you cannot see. Thus, to realize the cause of formication, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist to rule out any parasitic agent.
Where the crawling sensation is real, Ozidex can help you. Read the rest of this article to understand more.
Unreal Reasons Associated With Formication
As I mentioned, most of the time, the feeling of itching and crawling sensation is a tactile hallucination caused by several factors.
1) Psychological Factors
As in most cases, there are no insects or creepy crawlies crawling on or under the skin; this sensation, which is a dysfunction, is more common in people with mental disorders. some of the psychological factors are as follows:
- Hallucination
- Delusion
- Drug and Alcohol Abuse
2) Environmental Factors
The difference between the above- factors section and the factors I am going to discuss is that the former is “just in your head.” Although there are still no insects, some environmental factors can cause your nerves to react abnormally and send wrong messages. Some of these environmental factors are as follows:
2.1) Taking Some Medications
If you are taking or have suddenly stopped taking the following medications, your crawling sensation may be due to them:
- Corticosteroids
- Some of the antibiotics
- Benzodiazepine
- Tramadol
- SSRI/SNRI antidepressants withdrawal
2.2) Clinical Issues
Some clinical issues can affect the central nervous system or peripheral nerves and cause a creepy feeling:
- Strokes
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Tumour
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Thyroid disease
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Skin cancer
- Syphilis
- Lyme disease
- Hypocalcemia
- Shingles
Pesticide exposure and mercury poisoning can also lead to formication.
Interestingly, some natural physiological conditions, such as the onset of menopause, can also cause this issue. So, if you are at the beginning of this period, experiencing such a sensation is not unusual.
Real Reasons Associated with Formication
This is where the sensations become a reality. There is no hallucination or delusion. The tiny creatures are really crawling under your skin.
Head Lice
Head lice are common at school age, especially in cold countries like Canada.
They are wingless insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs a day. The eggs are oval and 0.8 mm long. They are visible in the form of small bumps attached to the hair string. This insect itself, although tiny, can be seen with the naked eye.
In addition to head lice, there are body lice that can cause itching and a creeping sensation on the body. Fortunately, the diagnosis and treatment of lice are simple. If lice are causing the creepiness, seeing a dermatologist or even a general practitioner can fix the problem in a few weeks.
Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis)
Contrary to the name, the Ringworm of the Scalp is not an actual worm. This issue is caused by the overgrowth of a special kind of fungus on the scalp, which can easily and quickly be transmitted by direct contact from one person to another and from human to animal, and vice versa. Using shared brushes, towels, and other everyday personal items can cause the transmission.
People with weakened immune systems are more likely to get this type of fungus.
In this complication, the scalp gets itchy and scaly in circles, and the hair falls out. Antifungal treatment should be done quickly to relieve the person of this fungus and prevent it from spreading to others.
Crawling Sensation Due to Demodex Mites
If you feel more itchy and crawling at night, you are most likely to have infected with Demodex mites.
Demodex mites are microscopic organisms that are different from head lice. They are not visible to the naked eye and feed on skin oils instead of blood. Most importantly, they live naturally in small numbers on most people’s skin. They live under the skin, inside the follicles and sebaceous glands. Demodex lay eggs there and reproduce in the same place.
They are sensitive to light. Thus, they come to the surface at night, mate and then return by sunrise.
Their movement on the skin’s surface is one of the most common reasons for the crawling sensation on the scalp and other parts of the body.
This creepiness sensation becomes obvious when the number of Demodex increases. Numerous factors, including infectious skin problems and weakened immune systems, can give them the opportunity to over-reproduce.
Demodex Mite has eight tiny legs and crawls on the skin at a speed of 16-18 cm per hour. So, when a large number of Demodex mites move simultaneously, the feeling of crawling can be really felt.
People who carry large numbers of Demodex Mites feel more itchy and creepy at night.
What Are Demodex Hair Mites and How Live on Scalp?
Demodex Folliculorum Mite (as the name implies) live in hair follicles and feeds on epithelial cells and skin oil (Sebum). Its thin, worm-like body helps it adapt to our tight follicles.
in conditions such as weak immune system, Demodex can aggravate all kinds of hair problems and sometimes even cause them; issues such as itchy Scalp, hair loss, thin hair and eczema.
Formication Treatment Options
What is essential in treating the crawling sensation on the scalp is the underlying cause. The doctor determines the treatment based on the diagnosis. Usually, a general practitioner, a neurologist, and a dermatologist are the ones who play a role in the final diagnosis.
In cases where the feeling of creepiness is caused by psychological issues – which is often the case – treatments related to psychiatry and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are prescribed.
In the case of clinical issues, such as diabetes, the underlying disease needs to be controlled or treated. Medications that cause creepiness should also be changed by your doctor if it is possible.
Why Do I Feel Like Something is Crawling on My Head?
If you do not know whether the creepiness sensation is related to Demodex, take ozidex online test to know how dense the Demodex mites are.
If you have a high concentration of Demodex, the feeling of crawling on your scalp is likely related to that.
Treatment for Crawling Sensation and Itchy Scalp
Ozidex is an Australian company that has developed a product exclusively formulated to fightDemodex mites. This unique product is PROCUTiN and can eliminate Demodex on your scalp and body, as well as surrounding surfaces.
PROCUTiN may also be effective against a variety of other parasites, such as head lice. Many of our customers have reported that PROCUTiN removes lice, insects and bugs. For this reason, this product may be effective in eliminating other real causes of the crawling sensation on scalp.
So, try it, and share the result with us.
Furthermore, PROCUTiN contains antifungal and antibacterial compounds that can remove harmful bacteria and fungi that cause itching. You can reclaim your skin health by eliminating them.
2 thoughts on “Feeling of Itching and Crawling Sensation on Scalp”
I think I may have this . certain have the sysmpotims . how long does it take to get some relief ?
Hi Ricky,
As you read there are lots of reasons to make itching and make crawling sensations, some of them are mental and some of them are real and can be related to mites or insects. Ozidex products can help get this crawling and itching to go away, even if it is not related to Demodex mites, it can be so helpful. You can contact us for more information.