A rare case of hematohidrosis in a patient with paranoid schizophrenia

ABSTRACT

Hematohidrosis is a very rare yet fascinating clinical entity in which blood is excreted in sweat under extreme physical or emotional stress. The causes can be attributed to variety of etiological factors such as systemic disorders, vicarious menstruation, excessive exertion, and psychogenic and idiopathic causes. Although the episodes are usually self-limiting and do not affect the health status of the patient, the very phenomenon can be quite scary for the patient and family members. Amongst the psychogenic causes, various mental illnesses can result in Hematohidrosis, but it is more commonly reported so far with anxiety spectrum illnesses and depression. The distinctive feature of the case presented by authors is its association with Hematohidrosis and its symptoms of Paranoid Schizophrenia. Objective of this study the association between symptomatology of Paranoid Schizophrenia and its effect on Hematohidrosis After due consent from the patient, relatives and permission from the ethics committee of the institution, clinical history was obtained from the patient interviews. The case was followed longitudinally on each follow up. Appropriate blood investigations were done. Information obtained was compiled to form a case report. The improvement in psychotic symptoms corresponded with reduced frequency of bleeding episodes. As anti-psychotic treatment was initiated, patient started showing improvement in psychotic symptoms. This co-incided with the reduced severity and frequency of Hematohidrosis. Improvement in anxiety associated with psychotic symptoms was most probably responsible for improvement in symptoms of Hematohidrosis.