Definition of Morgellon's disease

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Morgellon's disease: a little known disorder of unknown cause that is often associated with nonspecific skin, nerve, and psychiatric symptoms, Some refer to it as a fiber disease. Caucasian females from about 35 to 50 years old tend to develop this uncommon condition more than other groups. An analysis of the condition by a panel of experts concluded that no common underlying medical condition or infectious source was identified, similar to more commonly recognized conditions such as delusional infestation.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "this condition is not currently recognized as a distinct clinical disorder with established diagnostic criteria that are generally accepted by the medical community and many dermatologists consider the condition to be synonymous with delusional parasitosis (DP). To date, most of what is known about the condition is based on isolated case reports or anecdotal accounts. A range of potential infectious (for example, Lyme disease, parasitic) and non-infectious causes has been postulated, but the etiology of this condition remains unknown and there have been no proven effective medical therapies."

REFERENCES:

Dovigi, A.J. "Intraoral Morgellons disease or delusional parasitosis: a first case report." The American Journal of Dermatopathology 32.6 (2010): 603-605.

Hylwa, S.A., J.E. Bury, M.D.P. Davis, et al. "Delusional infestation, including delusions of parasitosis: results of histologic examination of skin biopsy and patient-provided skin specimens." Archives of Dermatology 147.9 (2011): 1041-1045.

Koblenzer, C.S. "Pimozide at least as safe and perhaps more effective than olanzapine for treatment of Morgellons disease." Archives of Dermatology 142.10 Oct. 2006.

Pearson, M.L., J.V. Selby, K.A. Katz, V. Cantrell, C.R. Braden, et al. "Clinical, Epidemiologic, Histopathologic and Molecular Features of an Unexplained Dermopathy." PLoS ONE 7.1 Jan. 2012: e29908. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029908.

Reid, E.E., and P.A. Lio. "Successful treatment of Morgellons Disease with pimozide therapy." Archives of Dermatology 146.10 Oct. 2010.

Savely, V.R., and R.B. Stricker. "Morgellons disease: analysis of a population with clinically confirmed microscopic subcutaneous fibers of unknown etiology." Clinical Cosmetic Investigative Dermatology 3 (2010): 67-78.