Morgellons: symptoms, causes, and how to treat & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What are morgellons?

Morgellons disease or also known as Morgellons syndrome is a relatively new and poorly understood problem. This condition affects the skin. Morgellons are characterized by uncomfortable sensations in and / or under the skin, such as "biting," "stinging" or "scratching." This sensation is often accompanied by tiny black droplets or microfibers that can protrude from the skin. The site where the microfibers emerge from the skin is often accompanied by scabs or lesions that are stubborn and difficult to heal.

This still poorly understood condition makes doctors sometimes think that patients who come with complaints that experience symptoms consistent with Morgellons' disease only experience psychological disorders. In other words, morgellons are often seen as a form of psychological disorder or other skin disease.

How common are Morgellons?

Morgellons disease is a relatively rare condition that most commonly affects middle-aged white women. A series of cases occurred in California, prompting the CDC to undertake a research study to determine if the cases were somehow related. Another study conducted in London reviewed cases that occurred in five years, from 2003 to 2008, and found 18 patients with a diagnosis of unexplained dermopathy, or Morgellons. Of these, 83 percent were middle-aged women and 69 percent were white.

However, this can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & Symptoms

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of Morgellons?

People suffering from this disease report the following signs and symptoms:

• Skin rash or scabs that can cause intense itching
• A crawling sensation on and under the skin, often mistaking a moving, stinging, or biting insect
• Black fibers, threads, or lint in and on the skin
• Severe fatigue
• Trouble concentrating
• Short-term memory loss
• The intense itching and open sores associated with Morgellons disease can seriously impair a person's quality of life

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control state that the signs and symptoms of this disease are very similar to mental illnesses that include false beliefs about parasitic infestations (delusional parasitosis).

When should I see a doctor?

Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the worsening of morgellons and prevent other medical emergencies, so consult your doctor as soon as possible to prevent this serious condition.

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above, or have any questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always best to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes morgellons?

Morgellons' disease is an unexplained skin disorder characterized by scabs, a sensation of creeping on and under the skin, and thread-like fibers emerging from the scabs. It is not clear about these fibers. Some say that these fibers are clumps of cotton, possibly from clothing or bandages. Others say that these fibers are the result of an infectious process in the skin cells. Further study is still needed to answer it.

There are many theories as to the cause of this problem, but the key seems to lie in the tiny fibers and / or granules embedded in the skin. These fibers or filaments are usually small. It is only a few microns in size (a fraction of the size of a human hair) and can vary in color, including white, red, blue and black. These filaments, or fibers, often cluster into balls or lumps, so they resemble similar structures called "morgellons" that were discovered to cause other syndromes in the 17th century. This is the origin of the name.

Obviously, these filaments do not appear to be natural things that should exist in the body, or even outside the body in nature, even if they resemble hyphae, that is, the shape of the fungal filaments. Although there may be similarities, at present these filaments have not been identified in terms of composition or origin, so they appear completely unnatural. The fact that the CDC sees it as a big enough problem to form a study group shows the level of concern that exists around the problem of this disease.

One thing that is also unusual about Morgellons disease is its geographic spread. Unlike most diseases, which are fairly evenly distributed, Morgellons appear to appear in clusters, which suggests that the disease may have an environmental or infectious origin.

Triggers

What increases the risk of Morgellons?

Obtained

Apart from the risk that the patient could acquire the disease because of its similarity to Lyme disease, the main risk that the patient has is related to the ignorance / reluctance of doctors who do not know / recognize Morgellons as a real disease. Its unknown cause and sensation, which a patient reporting to the doctor may mistake, could lead medical personnel to perceive it as merely a dermatological and / or psychological problem.

There is also a risk associated with recurrence of infection as the high survival rate of these spores is the cause of recurrence of infection, even after months of freedom from the infestation. Even so, an unhygienic environment also supports the recurrence rate of infection. Disposable clothing, extreme hygiene, and discipline will take longer than you think to eradicate infectious diseases.

Vascular

Patients suffering from Morgellons often report orthostatic intolerance (a significant change in blood pressure when there is a change in position) and arrhythmias that occur fairly frequently regardless of age. Mild heart rhythm and sound abnormalities are common in determining vital signs. Almost all of patients with complaints of this disease had a high rate (> 72).

Hormonal

In a study involving 30 patients with this disease, 8 of them (32%) had a diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. The US prevalence rate for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is 0.56%. The rate is based on statistics in 1996: 1,490,371 adults with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis per US population of 264,162,000. Half had a history of hypercalcemia (intermittent), of which 3 had overt parathyroid adenomas, which were surgically removed with incomplete repair. Fasting insulin levels increased in 100% of those tested for it (6 of 25), as did CRH levels (also 6 of 25 tested).

Diagnosis & Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How are Morgellons diagnosed?

It may be difficult to diagnose morgellons as a disease through antibody testing, but at least a person should initiate regular blood tests to detect spirochaeta infection and its usual companion infections. A number of surveys and interview with thousands of Morgellons sufferers indicating that many have Lyme disease (45%) and other unknown multibacterial infections. However, Lyme disease is not Morgellons.

One of the tests used is the DNS standard test by means of Polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR). To date, PCR has been used as a good way to detect many unidentified infections. Unfortunately, however, some of the tests for this antigen are outdated because there are many strains and new species and many antigens that have not been isolated, such as bacteria, fungi or viruses used by industrial companies.

A person can also do a blood test using recombinant antigens that are specifically aimed at fighting protozoa, fungi, bacteria, and other internal organ parasites. However, this can also be quite difficult, as there are currently no isolated antigens from this new form of life. In addition, the usual test should be done at least 6 weeks after exposure, to ensure sufficient time for the immune response to be demonstrated in clinical test results.

What are the treatments for Morgellons?

There is no known cure for Morgellons. Treating any medical or psychiatric problems that occur at the same time with Morgellons can help relieve the symptoms of this disease in a number of patients.

A team of medical researchers also recommends that patients with these symptoms should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

Home Remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat Morgellons?

Doctors and scientists are unsure how to prevent Morgellons disease. A number of studies have found no clear infectious or environmental cause for this condition. The researchers conclude that “future efforts should focus on helping patients relieves symptoms them through careful attention to the treatment of co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions that may be contributing to their symptoms."

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.