ABSTRACT
Entomophobia or acarophobia, parasitic dermatophobia (PD) or delusional parasitosis (DP) is a disorder in which affected individuals has the mistaken but unshakable belief (delusion) that they are infected by insects, spiders, scorpion, ticks, mites, parasitic worms, bacteria, or other living organisms. As with all delusions, this belief cannot be corrected by reasoning, persuasion, or logical argument. To avoid them, they may always be cleaning rooms, floors, doors, windows and scratching. Many affected individuals are quite functional; for the minority, delusions of parasitic infection may interfere with usual activities. However, most insects are not harmful to humans and pose no threat, those who suffer with this phobia experience extreme anxiety at the mere thought or sight of an insect. Most patients consult dermatologists, veterinarians, pest control specialists, or entomologists. The DP cases are increasing worldwide; it remains an extremely unrepeatable disorder.
Subject(s)
Delusions/epidemiology , Parasitic Diseases/psychology , Phobic Disorders/epidemiology , Delusions/diagnosis , Delusions/psychology , Delusions/therapy , Humans , Parasitic Diseases/diagnosis , Parasitic Diseases/epidemiology , Phobic Disorders/diagnosis , Phobic Disorders/psychology , Phobic Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
A woman's nutritional status should be assessed preconception with the goal of optimizing maternal, fetal, and infant health. Pregnancy-related dietary changes should begin prior to conception, with appropriate modifications across pregnancy and during lactation. The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are levels of nutrients recommended by an expert IOM panel based on extensive evaluation of available scientific evidence and mathematically adjusted to meet the needs of 97% of the population.
