title: Entomophobia, acarophobia, parasitic dermatophobia or delusional parasitosis.
abstract: Entomophobia or acarophobia, parasitic dermatophobia (PD) or delusional parasitosis (DP) is a disorder in which affected individuals has the mistaken but unshakable belief (delusion) that they are infected by insects, spiders, scorpion, ticks, mites, parasitic worms, bacteria, or other living organisms. As with all delusions, this belief cannot be corrected by reasoning, persuasion, or logical argument. To avoid them, they may always be cleaning rooms, floors, doors, windows and scratching. Many affected individuals are quite functional; for the minority, delusions of parasitic infection may interfere with usual activities. However, most insects are not harmful to humans and pose no threat, those who suffer with this phobia experience extreme anxiety at the mere thought or sight of an insect. Most patients consult dermatologists, veterinarians, pest control specialists, or entomologists. The DP cases are increasing worldwide; it remains an extremely unrepeatable disorder.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Al-Fayoum University, Al-Fayoum, Egypt.
authors.forename: Abdel-Hameed Abdel-Tawab
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sabry
authors.forename: Mahmoud A H
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fouad
authors.forename: Ayman T A
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Morsy
mesh_terms: D003702:Delusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy