Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Diagnosed As Paranoid Schizophrenic, Feels Worms Under Skin. What Can We Do For This Symptom ?

My brother is 50. He has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic several years ago. He doesn't have money and can't afford medication. Off and on he has insisted that he has parasites or worms crawling under his skin. He will scratch, and create sores and swear the bugs did it. When he asks me to look, I don't see anything. He says he can extract tiny worms out of his lips or other areas of his body. He bathes daily and sometimes several times with a variety of products like dog flea shampoo, bleach, vinegar, and sometimes insecticide. I am very worried.

Do you think that his belief in the parasites are a symptom is his paranoia? What can we do?

I want to know if his
posted on Sun, 28 Jul 2013
Twitter Sun, 28 Jul 2013 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 29 Jul 2013 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Quite often people with Schizophrenia do present with such symptoms that you are referring to

The medicinal treatment of Schizophrenia with antipsychotics is not at all costly. He should improve with atypical antipsychotics. The monthly cost of such successful treatment would be as low as INR 100, which is less than the cost of "shampoo, bleach, vinegar, and sometimes insecticide etc" that he uses unnecessarily. It is a misconception that treatment is costly

I sincerely suggest to seek a psychiatrist for benefit, rather than getting worried.
I find this answer helpful
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Schizophrenia


Loading Online Doctors....
Diagnosed As Paranoid Schizophrenic, Feels Worms Under Skin. What Can We Do For This Symptom ?

Quite often people with Schizophrenia do present with such symptoms that you are referring to The medicinal treatment of Schizophrenia with antipsychotics is not at all costly. He should improve with atypical antipsychotics. The monthly cost of such successful treatment would be as low as INR 100, which is less than the cost of shampoo, bleach, vinegar, and sometimes insecticide etc that he uses unnecessarily. It is a misconception that treatment is costly I sincerely suggest to seek a psychiatrist for benefit, rather than getting worried.