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Morgellons disease – Symptoms, causes, risk factors & complications

This is a rare disorder which is characterized by the presence of fibers underneath, embedded in and they are erupting from unbroken skin or slow – healing sores. There are some people who suffer from Morgellons disease who experience a sensation of stinging, biting and crawling on and in their skin.

The mentioned symptoms can be very painful. These symptoms can interfere with your daily activities and the quality of your life. The Morgellons disease is rare and poorly understood and it is somewhat controversial. The uncertainty which is surrounding this disorder is making people to feel confused about what they have and their doctors are not sure about their patient’s condition. The lack of confidence and confusion can lead to anxiety and stress.

Symptoms

Morgellons disease

The presence of small white, red, blue or black fibers under or erupting from the sores or unbroken skin and the sensation that something is crawling on or under the skin is the most common symptom of Morgellons disease. Also, you can feel like you are bitten or stung. There are other symptoms of Morgellons disease which are similar to those of the Lyme disease and they include:

  • Insomnia
  • Depression
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Loss of short – term memory
  • Joint aches and pains
  • Itching
  • Fatigue

If you have some of the mentioned symptoms, you need to visit your doctor so he or she can tell you if you have Morgellons disease. This disease is poorly understood so lot more studies need to be done in future to discover the causes and proper treatments. Your doctor will make a physical examination and may make lab tests to determine the appropriate diagnosis.

Causes

There are some reports in which are shown that people who have Lyme disease also have Morgellons disease. There are many experts who believe that the Morgellons disease is a form of psychosis which is causing the person to imagine that they are infested by a parasite (it is also called delusional parasitosis) rather than a diagnosis based upon physical signs. There are some studies in which are not found that this syndrome has not been caused by an infection so which means that it is not contagious. Also, it was not found that this condition is a result from environmental toxin.

Risk factors

There are some studies in which are found that over 14,000 families are affected by Morgellons disease. In one study were included 3.2 million participants and it was shown that 3.65 cases per 100,000 participants were affected by Morgellons disease. In the same study was shown that the Morgellons disease is most often seen in white and middle – aged women. In another study was shown that people have increased risk of getting Morgellons disease, if they:

  • Have hypothyroidism
  • Have done blood tests that indicate he or she were bitten by a tick
  • Were exposed to a tick
  • Have Lyme disease

In other studies done in 2013 was said that Morgellons disease is spread by a tick so it has chances to be contagious. Those people who do not have Morgellons disease but live with family members who have, rarely get this condition. The skin and fibers that are shed can cause skin irritations to other people but it cannot infect them.

Complications

When our skin is painful, uncomfortable or irritated, then it is natural to look it and touch it. But some people are beginning to spend a lot time of looking and picking at their skin so this is affecting the quality of their lives and it leads to low self – esteem, depression, isolation and anxiety. If you are repeatedly picking or scratching at your sores and scabs, erupting fibers or crawling skin, then this could lead to bigger wounds which will become infected and they will not heal. If this infection moves to your bloodstream, then you can develop sepsis. This is a life – threatening infection which needs to be treated in the hospital with strong antibiotics. You should try to avoid touching your skin, especially scabs and open sores. You should apply an appropriate dressing on any open wounds to prevent infections.

Ramesh Kumar
Ramesh Kumar
Dr. Ramesh kumar, BAMS is naturopathy doctor who is well versed with health benefits of all fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants

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