Formication?
Formication (for-mih-KAY-shun) is the medical term for the sensation of insects crawling on or under your skin when there is no actual insect present. The word comes from the Latin formica, meaning “ant.”
It is a type of tactile hallucination, meaning the brain produces a sensation of touch even though there is no corresponding external stimulus.
What Can Cause It?
Formication can have many possible causes, including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Sleep deprivation
- Hormonal changes, including perimenopause and menopause
- Side effects from certain medications
- Alcohol or drug withdrawal
- Certain skin
