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Printer Friendly Print Epileptic seizures can be triggered by rubbing the skin

Epileptic seizures can be triggered by rubbing the skin

March 13, 2001

An epileptic seizure can be triggered by repeatedly rubbing a small, well defined area of skin, reports research in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

The phenomenon, described by the researchers as “rub epilepsy,” is described in a series of case studies. None of the reported cases, say the authors, fits the classification of startle epilepsy, which also requires tactile stimulation, but which is triggered by sudden noise.




In one, a 35 year old woman realised at the age of 17 that she could trigger an epileptic seizure by repeatedly patting her left shoulder. In another case, a 21 year old woman discovered, by accident, that she could bring on a seizure by rubbing her left leg.

In a third case, a 31 year old man discovered that having his hair cut triggered a seizure when a particular area of his head was rubbed for 10 seconds or more. He had seizures every day, but realised that if he deliberately induced one, the trigger zone no longer worked for several hours, during which time he could resume normal activities, including having his hair cut.

Some people can trigger an epileptic seizure by cleaning their teeth, say the researchers, who have seen several such patients, but this is not rub epilepsy, say the authors. This is because each of the cases reported followed a distinct neurological pattern, was mostly left-sided, with contractions down one side of the body only; and none of the individuals lost consciousness without convulsions.



British Medical Journal (BMJ)



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