Morgellons

What is Morgellons?
Morgellons is a multi-symptom disease characterized by the presence of colored fibers under the skin. Symptoms include crawling, biting, and stinging sensations on the skin and slow- or non-healing skin lesions (sores). The exact cause is unknown, and it’s often misdiagnosed as delusional parasitosis or obsessive picking disorder.

Some studies suggest people are at a higher risk for Morgellons if they were exposed to or bitten by a tick, have Lyme disease, or have hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).

Other conditions have been reported in people with Morgellons, including fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and sleep disorders.

What is the prevalence of Morgellons?
According to a 2012 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of Morgellons was 3.65 cases per 100,000 participants.

How is Morgellons diagnosed?
Morgellons may be hard to diagnose. A doctor may suspect Morgellons if someone has itchy skin with lesions that don’t heal. They may order blood tests or a skin biopsy to help make a diagnosis. If fibers are found in the skin lesions, they may be sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Is there any specific gene/pathway in Morgellons that has been identified?
No.

How is Morgellons treated?
Treatment depends on which symptoms someone has. For example, doctors may prescribe medication for anxiety, depression, a thyroid disorder, or skin lesions.

Are there any clinical trials underway for Morgellons?
No, not at this time. 

How can RareShare be helpful to Morgellons patients and families?
The Morgellons RareShare community has 37 members. There are currently nine active discussions underway, helping to connect patients, health workers, caregivers, and families interested in Morgellons and providing them continual access to community resources.

RareShare, MGCI Cancer Society and RG Chapter