What Causes Unusual Movement Under The Skin And Brittleness Of Toe Nail?

Hi, From everything you described, the blister years ago, black dots, brittle thick nails that detach, itching, toe after toe involved, fatigue, and most of all, this feeling of movement under the skin, just doesn t fit an internal parasite infection. I know this is what it feels like, but parasites just don t act like this for seven years, slowly migrating from one toe to the next, or making nails thick and crumbly. The most likely explanation, from how this usually presents in the clinic, is a chronic fungal infection of the nails and skin-onychomycosis plus tinea-perhaps in addition to chronic dermatitis from years of scratching, soaking, and using different topical products. Thick nails that fall off, itching, scaling, and involvement of both big toes fit this very strongly. Such infections can go on for many years unless treated with the right approach. The movement sensation you described under the skin is actually something I have seen in many patients with longstanding skin inflammation, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. When the skin barrier is damaged for a long time, the nerves become hypersensitive. People describe it as worms, crawling, or something moving, but medically, it s a type of neuropathic itching. It feels absolutely real, but it doesn t mean something is living inside you. Add to that your broken teeth, low energy, the stress at home, and living through abuse, all of which can worsen the sensation and make the skin feel even more abnormal. Chronic stress alone can amplify itch signals considerably. Your mention of Lyme disease in the family is relevant, but your symptoms are not consistent with active Lyme disease. Lyme does not cause crumbly nails or production of hair-like material from the skin. What is most worrisome and needs real scrutiny now is 1. Your toenails - they need proper evaluation to confirm fungal infection. 2. Your skin symptoms – to check whether this is a chronic fungal infection plus dermatitis. 3. Your dental problems-untreated dental infections have an effect on general health and fatigue. 4. Your living situation and your stress level–long-term stress can worsen skin and nerve symptoms. Since you said you don t have insurance, I would highly recommend that you try to find a community health center or a sliding-scale clinic in your area that can take a look at your nails and skin and perform a simple scraping test. It s very inexpensive but yields a clear answer. In my clinic, a case like yours always starts with a physical examination, because nail infections cannot be diagnosed without looking at them. If it s fungal, it is very straightforward to treat, but again, no medication can be advised without a proper examination. For the time being, avoid over-using vinegar baths, lice medications, or rotating athlete s foot creams without guidance. These can irritate the nerves and make the crawling sensation worse. I am telling you honestly, nothing of what you said makes me think of a dangerous internal parasite, and nothing suggests this is in your mind. This is a combination of long-standing untreated skin and nail disease plus stress and nerve irritation; it is fixable once you get a proper check. Where possible, have one of the nails examined, along with a patch of skin, by a physician. That alone will give you a clear direction. Take care. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further query I will be happy to help. Wish you good health. Regards, Dr. Usaid Yousuf, General and Family Physician