Patrick Kemperman works as a dermatologist at the UMC (Academic Medical Centre) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and the Waterlandziekenhuis in Purmerend, the Netherlands.
He is a general dermatologist who focusses on psycho dermatology and itching. He is driven by a strong desire to bridge the gap between the treatment of physical and psycho social problems in people who suffer from a chronic skin condition.
Furthermore, he exerts himself to have studies performed into the relatively new field of psycho dermatology, to achieve the ultimate goal of getting more attention for the psychological factors of skin diseases in the future, resulting in the best possible treatment for the patient.
On Friday, December 12 2026, dermatologist Patrick Kemperman, one of our advisors, successfully defended his PhD at the University of Amsterdam. His research focused on so-called delusional infestation (also known as parasitic delusion): a rare psychiatric disorder in which individuals are convinced that parasites or insects are present on or in their body, despite the absence of medical evidence. The condition causes severe psychological distress, social isolation, and a significantly reduced quality of life.
Recognition
“In my clinical practice, I see patients who present with itching and stress,” says Kemperman. “These are symptoms the patients genuinely experience, yet there is no identifiable medical cause. They believe they are carrying parasites or insects, but medically we cannot substantiate this. This can be extremely frustrating. For patients, it is often a long search for recognition.”
Psychiatric care
This motivated Patrick to explore the condition in greater depth. “For our research, we compared a group of patients with delusional infestation to a control group,” Kemperman explains. “We found that the itching is not caused by a skin disease, but by the way the body perceives signals. Itching after scabies, certain medications, and drugs such as cocaine can trigger the condition. Patients with these complaints often first consult a dermatologist, but they also require psychiatric care.”
Diagnosis
One of the key conclusions of Kemperman’s research is that the diagnosis is often made at a late stage. “The longer it takes before the diagnosis is established, the more difficult treatment becomes,” Kemperman says. “Early recognition and close collaboration between dermatology and psychiatry help to initiate treatment sooner, thereby limiting the impact of the condition on patients’ lives.”
Treatment
Kemperman also examined which treatment approaches are most effective for these patients. “We now know that directly telling someone that their symptoms are imagined does not work. Patients feel dismissed, while it is crucial to investigate their symptoms very carefully. A gradual, symptom-focused approach appears to be far more effective in building trust and collaboration,” Patrick concludes.
Want to learn more about Kemperman’s research?
Read his dissertation.