Just yesterday I learned about a new skin condition—it’s been named “Morgellon’s Disease” by the biologist who first began studying the new rash and its symptoms. In the medical community, however, Morgellon’s Disease does not exist. I’ll explain further…..
In 2001, a woman (and biologist) named Mary Leitao found a strange sore on her 2-year-old’s lip. She took her son to several medical doctors, but they could never discover the cause or the cure, and labeled her son as having “unexplained dermopathy” (an unknown skin condition), treating him with every topical cream available, and some oral medications.
In an effort to better understand what was happening to her son, she took a sample from the sore and looked under a microscope. There, she discovered thin hairs in the sample. Over the next five years, she took her son to many specialists and different medical doctors. No one could help. Ms. Leitao called the illness Morgellon’s Disease based on her research. In the 1700s, medical records talked about sores that sprouted thick hairs that they called morgellons; therefore the woman called the new rash Morgellon’s Disease.
In the end, she took her son to a dermatologist in another state where the dermatologist found that the hairs were coming out of the sore itself. Still, no one could find what was wrong and why the sore wasn’t healing. Over the years, the sores had spread and were even beginning to appear on the rest of the family members.
The dermatologist looked at the fibers under a special UV microscope and saw that they glowed red and blue. The specialist entered the fiber into the FBI National Database that contained over 100,000 known natural and synthetic fibers—it was not found.
The medical community, however, says that there is no problem, and labels each sufferer as “psychotic” and “delusional”—antipsychotic drugs are usually prescribed.
Symptoms:
• A sore, lesion or rash that does not heal. It can occur on any part of the body.
• Disturbing sensation of insects or bugs crawling under or biting the skin
• Fiber- or hair-like hairs, crystals or granules that appear on or under the skin
• Pain at the areas of the sores
• Joint, muscle or connective tissue pain (including fibromyalgia)
• Debilitating fatigue
• Difficulty with concentration, short-term memory and attention
• Brain fog
• Neurological degeneration similar to ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
• Depression and suicide
The Path of Morgellon’s Disease
Those who have suffered for many years with the set of symptoms have found that the path of Morgellon’s Disease results in neurological degeneration then death. It begins with a small lesion, then more lesions. After a time, mental symptoms begin to appear: memory difficulties, difficulty concentrating, and/or attention deficit. Later, the muscles and nerves themselves begin to be affected; most of these people are diagnosed with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease (doctors often overlook the rash, and have a difficult time diagnosing the person with ALS because it doesn’t appear to be ALS, but with the degeneration, they eventually diagnose them with ALS). They die as there is increased deterioration. Many commit suicide.
Hypotheses as to the cause of Morgellon’s Disease:Scientists outside of the medical community and the CDC have begun to theorize the cause of Morgellon’s Disease.
DelusionsA delusion is a belief that something is happening but it actually isn’t. For example, you may have the delusion that you are being watched or stalked but you are not. Or that you have cancer when you do not.
It is a known skin condition, but it is a little differentAs many diseases change over time, it is possible that this is a common skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, but it is a little different.
Bacterial causeProfessor Vitaly Citovsky, professor of Biology and cell Biology at Stony Brook University in New York found in the lesions gram-negative bacteria called Agrobacterium. This bacteriam is capable of genetically transforming cells in plants and human cells. This bacterium is used in GMO crops.
Environmental ToxinsRichard Fagerlund, and epidemiologist, believes the cause is pollutants and pesticides.
TreatmentWhen people have sought medical care for the sensation of bugs under or on their skin, many have been told to seek psychological care and were diagnosed with “delusional parasitosis” (the delusion of having parasites but there are no parasites). Many are prescribed anti-psychotic, anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs.
On a special edition of Nightline (January 16, 2008), Dr. Vincent DeLeo of St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital emphatically denied that there was anything wrong with these sufferers, and that they needed psychological care only. He stated that there is no medical diagnosis of Morgellon’s Disease and that all the symptoms are in the minds of the patient. When asked about the fibers, he stated that it was interesting, but felt that the patients themselves introduced the hairs into the wounds by picking at the sores.
For those who suffer, no help from the medical community has been forthcoming. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have begun an investigation that started in June 2006; to date, they have no idea what is wrong.
ConclusionIt is unknown if Morgellon’s Disease is contagious or not. Until the actual cause is known, it is best to avoid skin contact with others if you suspect you have Morgellon’s Disease. To date, no medical treatments have helped; they believe it does not exist and is solely in the minds of the patient or the parent. As one medical researcher stated “There are too many impossible symptoms, so it must be a delusion.”
Children as young as infants are showing signs of this disease. If you suspect you or your child has Morgellon’s Disease, be evaluated by a medical doctor to rule out anything that can be treated medically. Consider being examined by a homeopathic practitioner, as homeopathic remedies have been helpful to others.
Morgellon’s Disease isn’t something to overlook—it can be fatal. If you have any of the symptoms of this disease, don’t ignore them—seek care.
Helpful Resources
Cut and paste or click on the links below to see part one and part two of the Nightline special on Morgellon’s Disease aired January 16, 2008.
Part One:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=PQa1LydOrqY&feature=Responses&parent_video=gNb2XhqW-7c&index=0&playnext=1&playnext_from=RL Part Two:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=mfoidtKEpqc&feature=related Morgellons Research Foundation (good information):
www.morgellons.com Best wishes,
Dr. Ronda Behnke
The information provided by Dr. Ronda is for eductional purposes only. Always seek the care of a qualified health practitioner for diagnoses and treatment of any health concern. Never stop taking a prescription medication without first consulting with your health care provider--preferrably the practitioner who prescribed the drug.