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A rare infectious disease of the skin is emerging and known as Morgellon’s Disease. This skin disease is highly unusual in that it mimics the effects of scabies or lice however these are not the cause of the skin disease. There is no known cause for Morgellon’s Disease and it is especially unusual due to the symptoms of the disease. However, Morgellon’s disease is not just a case of a skin disorder that needs healing. Instead, it is a rare disease that also significantly impacts the central nervous system. Short term memory and mental concentration are highly impacted by this rare skin disease. In addition, depression, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and other disorders affect more than half of the individuals who present with Morgellon’s disease symptoms. Children who are affected by Morgellon’s Disease also have a host of central nervous and behavioral problems from ADHD to autism and ODD to mood disorders. Approximately 10% of them of the children with this rare skin disease have an autism spectrum disorder while 65% have a psychiatric disorder.

At this time it is unknown whether Morgellon’s Disease is contagious through person to person contact or not. Many patients with this rare skin disorder have family members who are not affected at all. On the other hand there are many patients whose whole family is infected. Determining whether this is due to contagious elements of Morgellon’s Disease or whether individuals were exposed to the disease at the same time is difficult to determine and has yet to be explained.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Morgellon’s Disease are especially strange and medically confusing. Most individuals affected by this rare disease have strange filament like structures in the affected skin. They are fibrous and incredibly perplexing as to their origin. These strange fibrous structures accompany skin lesions that won’t heal, crawling or stinging on the skin as well as biting feelings. These symptoms may occur on the dermis, in the hair follicles, or anywhere else. Black specks or small seed like structures are also found on the skin of many who suffer from Morgellon’s Disease.

Fatigue is yet another symptom of Morgellon’s Disease and it is typically so severe that it interferes with daily function. A change in vision frequently occurs with individuals affected by this rare skin disease. Gastrointestinal problems similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome are also frequently reported. Arthraligias, change in skin pigment, and a list of neurological symptoms too long to list are also related to Morgellon’s Disease. Many patients even report “fuzz” falling from their skin.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Unfortunately, the majority of individuals with Morgellon’s Disease are not diagnosed at the onset of their symptoms. Rather, they visit several medical providers looking for answers to their very strange symptoms and never receive a proper diagnosis or even a proper examination. Instead, they may be diagnosed with Delusional Parasitosis or a variety of other disorders due to the skin lesions and accompanying psychiatric complaints.

Those who do find treatment for Morgellon’s disease rarely find a cure although some may find temporary relief from their symptoms or even complete relief for some. However, there has not been a cure discovered that actually cures everyone affected by this extremely rare disease.