Raising awareness to the Public and Professionals about an emerging disease
You are here: Morgellons UK > Symptoms
Symptoms
Morgellons Disease is systemic; affecting all body systems, once an infection is fully established. Initial symptoms often present as skin related, as if afflicted with mites, lice, fleas and 'dandruff' or dry skin.
Integumentary system:
- Itchy scalp and skin
- Sensation of crawling on skin and in ears (especially nocturnally or after consuming sugar)
- Insect-like 'bites' and stinging sensations on skin
- Skin rash, including red areas on cheeks
- Small ‘blood spots' on skin
- Burning sensation on skin or feeling of very small pin pricks
- White flakes, 'spores', 'eggs', granules and 'glitter' from skin pores and hair
- Fibres coming from skin pores and lesions, of different lengths and colours: (blue, white, transparent, black, red)
- Fibre balls/bundles coming out of skin pores
- Black specs coming out of skin pores
- Skin lesions, sores, pimples or spots - that heal slowly (eg. red spots or scabs on nose & checks)
- Healed lesions causing scaring or hypopigmentation
- Mole 'like' spots appearing, raised on skin
- Skin thinning and unexplained bruising
- Dark circles under eyes
- Hair loss on scalp, eye brows, eye lashes
- Growth of soft, white villous hairs on face and arms
- Ingrowing hairs and black roots on infected hairs
- Scalp hair irritating skin when wet and highly static when dry
- Pitting on nails and fungal infections
Cardiovascular system:
- Irregular/fast heart beat and sudden pain without exertion
- Circulation & temperature regulation problems (low core temperature)
- Poor capilary refill, Reynaud's syndrome
Endocrinal system:
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Hypercalcaemia
- Weight loss/gain
Digestive system
- Irritable bowel
- Distended abdomen
- Malabsorption
- Colo-rectal discomfort
- Constipation or loose bowels
- Rumbling stomach
Musculoskeletal system:
- Stiff neck upon movement and aching shoulders
- Pain at base of spine around sacrum (pelvis) and coccyx (anus)
- Inflammed, aching and stiff joints (fingers, elbows, hips, knees)
- Weakness in wrists
Lymphatic & Immune system:
- Inflamed lymph nodes (eg. under jaw line, arm pits, groin)
- Immune system disruption
Central Nervous system:
- Numb fingers and/or toes (peripheral neuropathy)
- Short-term memory loss
- Racing thoughts
- Insomnia
- Brain fog - (eg. problems with finding words)
- Fatigue and lack of concentration
- Pressure headaches
Urinary system:
- Kidney ache (can manifest as lower back pain)
- Bladder weakness
- Urinary tract infections
Eyes, ears, nose and throat:
- Declining sight, grit feeling, white particles in tear ducts and eye inflammation
- Declining hearing
- Loss of balance
- Heavy staining on teeth/gum interface
- Gum disease and pain in gums
- Furrows in tongue
- Increased saliva
Psychological:
- Depression
- Increased irritability and decreasing patience
- Bipolar
- ADD
Morgellons disease shares characteristics with various recognized conditions and may be found in patients with Chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, Irritable bowel syndrome, Gulf War syndrome, Attention-deficit disorder and various skin disorders caused by fungus and bacterias.
Morgellons sufferers have thread-like filaments appearing from skin sores and/or unbroken skin, which can be the cause of much discomfort and itching. Sufferers of Morgellons and Lyme Disease often have co-infections, which may include insect and nematode parasites.
Unfortunately, Morgellons patients are often given a clinical diagnosis of delusional parasitosis or obsessive-compulsive disorder. This is largely due to a lack of detailed observation, as the fibres and parasites are hardly visible to the naked eye.
It is thought that a trauma or overload of stress can increase or kick off these symptoms. Indeed, morgellons seems to progress in a body that has a compromised immune system or state. Many sufferers report an association with being bitten, handling soil, being in close contact with sick humans or animals.
The Morgellons Research Foundation (MRF), in the United States has over 13,000 registered families. They have found that often more than one family member is affected by Morgellons Disease. They also report that nurses and teachers are the occupational groups affected the most.
The page below is the MRF's case definition, giving more details on symptoms and signs. It also provides details on laboratory tests that can show abnormalities in Morgellons patients:
http://www.morgellons.org/case_definition.htm