Morgellons
Morgellons
Morgellons (pronounced: mor-GELL-uns) is a controversial and poorly understood condition in which unusual thread-like fibers appear under the skin. The person may feel like something is crawling, biting, or stinging all over. Some medical experts say Morgellons is a physical illness. Others suggest it is a type of psychosis called "delusional parasitosis," in which a person thinks parasites have infected their skin.
Etymology
The name "Morgellons" (pronounced mɔː(ɹ)ˈdʒɛlənz) comes from a description of a similar condition by Sir Thomas Browne in 1674. Browne's description was revived by Mary Leitao, a mother who described her child's skin condition in 2002. The term is not recognized by the medical community.
Symptoms
Morgellons disease is characterized by a range of skin symptoms, including the presence of fibers or other foreign material emerging from the skin, severe itching, and skin sores that heal slowly. Some people with Morgellons also experience a sensation of crawling, biting, and stinging on and in their skin.
Related Terms
- Delusional parasitosis: A mental disorder in which individuals have a persistent belief that they are infested with living or nonliving pathogens such as parasites, insects, or bugs, when no such infestation is present.
- Dermatitis: A general term that describes inflammation of the skin.
- Psychodermatology: The study of the interaction between mind and skin.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Morgellons
- Wikipedia's article - Morgellons
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