Beyond the Bullseye: 13 Lesser-Known Warning Signs of Tick-Borne Illness

Lisette Marie

7. Phantom Itch & Crawling Skin: Sensations Without a Source

Young woman scratching itchy skin on her arm. Photo Credit: Envato @drazenphoto

Imagine an unrelenting itch with no visible rash, or the bizarre sensation of insects crawling on or under your skin (formication). These unsettling paresthesias can be a lesser-known neurological manifestation of certain tick-borne illnesses. The skin might look perfectly normal, yet these phantom sensations persist, causing significant distress. If you're experiencing these tactile hallucinations, particularly if accompanied by other strange symptoms, it's a clue worth discussing with a doctor familiar with tick-borne diseases.

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7. Phantom Itch & Crawling Skin: Sensations Without a Source

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