Risk of Neurodegeneration in Patients with Morgellons Disease: A Focus on the Potential Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s

Morgellons disease is a distressing dermatologic condition that typically presents with multiple, non-healing skin lesions with filamentous protrusions. Initial presentation of the condition can often include various neurological symptoms with dermatologic symptoms. Common neurological symptoms include neuropathy, cognitive impairment, and dementia. Recent studies reveal that spirochetes are a causative agent of Morgellons disease. Chronic spirochete infection is strongly associated with neurodegeneration seen in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This paper will provide a brief overview of Morgellons and Alzheimer’s disease and will explore the possible risk of developing Alzheimer’s in Morgellons patients.

Morgellons Disease: The Spread of a Mass Psychogenic Illness via the Internet and Its Implications in Hand Surgery

Somatic manifestations of mental illness sometimes occur in patients presenting to hand specialists. These conversion disorders can also occur in groups, a phenomenon known as “mass psychogenic illness.” The increasing penetrance of the Internet and social media in modern society has greatly facilitated the interaction of patients with others with similar disorders. One example relevant to hand surgery is “Morgellons disease,” a disorder popularized in 2002 and characterized by a firm belief in foreign material extruding from the skin, leading to nonhealing, self-inflicted ulcerations and excoriations. A series of 4 patients collected through an informal survey of hand surgeons regarding experience with Morgellons disease is reviewed and discussed. All patients in the series presented with a chief complaint of foreign material extruding from the hand. In 1 case, the complaint was made by a young patient’s mother. In none of the patients were foreign bodies identified, although 2 patients demonstrated significant ulcerations and scars from self-excoriation. Three patients had a somatic condition affecting the hand or upper extremity, 1 directly related to self-excoriation and 2 unrelated. Treatments, workups, and ultimate outcomes varied among patients. Patients presenting with Morgellons disease often undergo multiple unnecessary tests and are at risk of inappropriate procedures. It is therefore important that providers have a compassionate understanding of the involved psychology. Herein, we offer an approach to the recognition of and treatment strategies for these patients.

Delusional Parasitosis: More Than Just Skin-Deep - A Case Report

Delusional parasitosis is an uncommon disorder and is probably underdiagnosed - several factors contribute including lack of recognition/difficulty in arriving to a conclusion by a clinician, or the reluctance to seek help or even rejection of the diagnosis by a patient. Patients present with pruritus, excoriations, stinging or formication for which no physical explanation can be found. There is the belief on the part of the patient that their skin is infested by insects or inanimate objects. It is estimated that a dermatologist may see one case every 7 years (Suh, 2018). Morgellons disease is a disputed condition which may fall under the umbrella term of delusional parasitosis. In this condition any areas of concern on the skin are believed to contain foreign material, usually coloured fibres. There is often an overlap of delusional parasitosis with other mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Successful treatment requires a multi-modal approach in the form of medication (usually antipsychotics), psychotherapy and the input of various specialists (dermatology and psychiatry). Primary care -general practitioners in particular - has a central role to play by orchestrating this process so that a satisfactory outcome is achieved.

Plant Fiber Contaminants in Morgellons Disease Skin Samples

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