Bugs eating Me - Symptoms

9/14/09 8:33am

People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) often pick their skin. My mother-in-law did this. It was very hard to control as her dementia got worse. Alzheimer's can make people obsessive, as well.

You are right to see a skin doctor to try to keep infection at bay, but you should probably see a neurologist or psychiatrist (preferably one who knows geriatric issues).

This sounds very much like an OCD/dementia problem and just taking care of the skin won't do it. She should also be checked for vitamin deficiencies or drug interactions/side effects that could start the process by making her skin prickly, therefore she picks and then it escalates.

This is tough. I've been there and so have many others. This will probably involve more than one doctor.

Hang in,

Carol

NC

9/14/09 9:47am

Does she have Alzheimers? My father-in-law has late Alzheimers and he always scratches himself if there are anything like age spot or bites or just scratching because he is anxious. This is part of AD. The only thing we can do is to distract him or gently tell him please don't scratch. He is at the point that if we say no scratch, he goes defensive and say "bebebebebe, shut up." Last year we were able to say please don't scratch and he would stop in front of us. But he still scratches. In 2007 he scratched so much on his bite that he got infection and went to the hospital to get covered on that bite (quite a big cover compared to the small bite!!) The imagination is also part of it and we don't bother to know his imagination anymore. At this point, he dioes not imagine about bugs, however, he would insist he has to scratch somehow for his personal reason thinking he can heal it or stop it. One thing for sure is he no longer understands the medical aspect and cannot self-care anymore even though he had medical training as an MD in Poland.

I am not so sure what one can do. If it is so bad and cause damage or injury, someone may have to stop her. You should check wtih the nurses or doctors about this thing. One should try not to restrain her but maybe there are anxiety medications to help her.

Hope this helps,

Nina

AFA Social Services, Health Guide

9/14/09 12:25pm

Teresa,

Your mother’s symptoms may very well be a product of Alzheimer’s disease. Some individuals with this illness are prone to experiencing delusions and hallucinations – false impressions, or seeing/hearing/smelling/touching things that aren’t there, respectively. Although bugs on her face may not be the most likely explanation for her skin rash, she could believe it to be so because her brain is damaged by the illness. This type of impairment can account for an array of symptoms, including the false belief that bugs are eating her alive. Unfortunately, chances are you will not be able to convince her otherwise, and she may even become angry at you for trying. Although it is commendable that you brought your mother in for treatment of the skin, it is equally important for you to seek further medical consultation at this time. Your mother’s condition is serious and extends beyond the aesthetic. If your mother has open sores on her face and picks at her skin with dirty hands, she can introduce an infection into her body, which can be hazardous to her health or potentially life threatening. I suggest you speak to her physician about her condition. You should also consider behavioral interventions to distract her with in the meanwhile. If she is kept busy, and she is allowed to expend her energy in a safe, healthy manner, she may not spend all day picking at her face. Find activities that you think she may like, which will require the use of her hands. Folding, gardening, mixing cooking ingredients, and coloring are good examples. Sometimes activities that have an instant gratification value are helpful too – such as popping a sheet of bubble wrap. First and foremost, consult with her physician right away and discuss the treatment options available.

AFA Social Services, Health Guide

9/14/09 12:25pm

Teresa,

Your mother’s symptoms may very well be a product of Alzheimer’s disease. Some individuals with this illness are prone to experiencing delusions and hallucinations – false impressions, or seeing/hearing/smelling/touching things that aren’t there, respectively. Although bugs on her face may not be the most likely explanation for her skin rash, she could believe it to be so because her brain is damaged by the illness. This type of impairment can account for an array of symptoms, including the false belief that bugs are eating her alive. Unfortunately, chances are you will not be able to convince her otherwise, and she may even become angry at you for trying. Although it is commendable that you brought your mother in for treatment of the skin, it is equally important for you to seek further medical consultation at this time. Your mother’s condition is serious and extends beyond the aesthetic. If your mother has open sores on her face and picks at her skin with dirty hands, she can introduce an infection into her body, which can be hazardous to her health or potentially life threatening. I suggest you speak to her physician about her condition. You should also consider behavioral interventions to distract her with in the meanwhile. If she is kept busy, and she is allowed to expend her energy in a safe, healthy manner, she may not spend all day picking at her face. Find activities that you think she may like, which will require the use of her hands. Folding, gardening, mixing cooking ingredients, and coloring are good examples. Sometimes activities that have an instant gratification value are helpful too – such as popping a sheet of bubble wrap. First and foremost, consult with her physician right away and discuss the treatment options available.

NC

9/14/09 6:13pm

I also want to add some more comment about what we do with my FIL. Recently he complained that he has this age spot due to the medication and blood clot/old age, he thought something was wrong so he kept touching and playing with it. He wanted to know why and wanted to see doctors for that. The spots happen because he takes medications for his blood clot. The doctor said it is ok and don't scratch.

The caregiver just gave him the antibiotics cream so he would not scratch hard due to the oily surface. This calmed him down. But it does not mean he stopped scratching.

Sometimes he scratched his hands because he holds his hands together watching tv. Maybe he was bored or anxious. The music channels in cable tv can help him a lot - relax him and etc. Sometime if he goes out for a walk or go to the grocery store, he can be distracted and won't scratch anymore as he is outside.

Like what AFA recommended, you may need to find something for your Mom to do so she can keep busy and forget about scratching. He has never stopped scratching as his habit and we just make sure he does not get sick with that. He also sucks his thumb often.

Seeing a doctor is good idea to make sure your mother does not get sicker due to her scratches.

Good luck,

Nina

shebuddy

9/19/09 2:13pm

Thank you all for the advice.

I took her to her doctor and was happy that the doctor realized on her own without me saying anything, that my Mom was picking at her face. The doctor has made an appt. for a skin doctor and a grievence counselor.

My Mom has went through a lot since Feb. Lost her doggy friend, her younger son, her husband of 59 yrs and her home.

I'm hoping the counselor can help. She needs to talk with someone who doesn't know anything about all her problems so she can explain and maybe grieve, once and for all.....which I don't think she has yet.

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