Morgellons Signs & Symptoms

Borrelia (Lyme) organisms have been detected by multiple methods in abundance within Morgellons skin lesions including culture.

Other bacteria commonly found in some but not all Morgellons skin lesions include H. pylori, Bartonella and Treponema denticola.

Research has determined that the filaments and shed materials are products of epithelial cells and are composed of collagen and keratin.

Filaments can often be visualized stemming directly from cells and a retained nucleus can often be visualized at the base of the filament.

The coloring of the filaments is not well understood but research has shown that the blue filaments contain granules of melanin.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:

• Intense itching*
• Crawling sensations under the skin
• Psychiatric manifestations can include anxiety, depression, new onset of panic attacks, changes in behavior and personality. Some patients have been diagnosed with OCD, bipolar disorder and even delusional disorders can result if left untreated.
• Neurological impairment
• Sleep disturbances
• Visual and hearing changes
• Brain fog and diminished higher cognitive abilities
• Spontaneously–appearing, slow-healing lesions*
• Seed-like objects/ granules and black specks on/in skin
• Life altering fatigue
• Hair loss
• GI changes
• Muscle aches and joint pain
• General malaise; intense, life-impacting pain
• Dental deterioration

*It is important to note that some patients have no lesions. Some patients do not experience the intense itching.

Mayo Clinic Reports

Morgellons disease is an uncommon, poorly understood condition characterized by small fibers or other particles emerging from skin sores. People with this condition often report feeling as if something were crawling on or stinging their skin.

Signs and symptoms

People who have Morgellons disease report the following signs and symptoms:

• Skin rashes or sores that can cause intense itching
• Crawling sensations on and under the skin, often compared to insects moving, stinging or biting
• Fibers, threads or black stringy material in and on the skin
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Short-term memory loss
• Depressed mood

The intense itching and open sores associated with Morgellons disease can severely interfere with a person's quality of life. Source

Scientific Articles

Mixed Borrelia burgdorferi and Helicobacter pylori Biofilms in Morgellons DiseaseDermatological Specimens.

Middelveen MJ, Filush KR, Bandoski C, Kasliwala RS, Melillo A, Stricker RB, Sapi E.

Healthcare (Basel). 2019 May 17;7(2). pii: E70. doi: 10.3390/healthcare7020070.

PMID: 31108976

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Detection of tick-borne infection in Morgellons disease patients by serological and molecular techniques.

Middelveen MJ, Cruz ID, Fesler MC, Stricker RB, Shah JS.

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018 Nov 9;11:561-569. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S184521. eCollection 2018.

PMID: 30519067

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Clinical evaluation of Morgellons disease in a cohort of North American patients.

Fesler MC, Middelveen MJ, Stricker RB.

Dermatol Reports. 2018 Apr 24;10(1):7660. doi: 10.4081/dr.2018.7660. eCollection 2018 Apr 23.

PMID: 29774138

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History of Morgellons disease: from delusion to definition.

Middelveen MJ, Fesler MC, Stricker RB.

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018 Feb 9;11:71-90. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S152343. eCollection 2018. Review.

PMID: 29467580

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Morgellons disease: a filamentous borrelial dermatitis.

Middelveen MJ, Stricker RB.

Int J Gen Med. 2016 Oct 14;9:349-354. eCollection 2016. Review.

PMID: 27789971

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Exploring the association between Morgellons disease and Lyme disease: identification of Borrelia burgdorferi in Morgellons disease patients.

Middelveen MJ, Bandoski C, Burke J, Sapi E, Filush KR, Wang Y, Franco A, Mayne PJ, Stricker RB.

BMC Dermatol. 2015 Feb 12;15:1. doi: 10.1186/s12895-015-0023-0.

PMID: 25879673

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Characterization and evolution of dermal filaments from patients with Morgellons disease.

Middelveen MJ, Mayne PJ, Kahn DG, Stricker RB.

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013;6:1-21. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S39017. Epub 2013 Jan 8.

PMID: 23326202

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Association of spirochetal infection with Morgellons disease.

Middelveen MJ, Burugu D, Poruri A, Burke J, Mayne PJ, Sapi E, Kahn DG, StrickerRB.

F1000Res. 2013 Jan 28;2:25. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.2-25.v1. eCollection 2013.

PMID: 24715950

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Morgellons disease: more questions than answers.

Stricker RB, Middelveen MJ.

Psychosomatics. 2012 Sep-Oct;53(5):504-5; author reply 505-6. doi: 10.1016/j.psym.2012.05.003. No abstract available.

PMID: 22959062

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Filament formation associated with spirochetal infection: a comparative approach to Morgellons disease.

Middelveen MJ, Stricker RB.

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2011;4:167-77. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S26183. Epub 2011 Nov 14.

PMID: 22253541

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Morgellons disease: Analysis of a population with clinically confirmed microscopic subcutaneous fibers of unknown etiology.

Savely VR, Stricker RB.

Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2010 May 13;3:67-78.

PMID: 21437061

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The mystery of Morgellons disease: infection or delusion?

Savely VR, Leitao MM, Stricker RB.

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2006;7(1):1-5. Review.

PMID: 16489838

For More Information

Rare Disease Network of the NIH- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

European Site- European Site

Lyme Disease Association- Research, Education & Prevention

Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation- Learn about Lyme Disease

OSU-CHS-CIMD- Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences: Morgellons Disease

Last Updated- February 2019

Lucy Barnes

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