Morgellons disease (MD) is a dermopathy characterized by multicolored filaments that lie under, are embedded in, or project from skin. Although MD was initially considered to be a delusional disorder, recent studies have demonstrated that the dermopathy ...

Morgellons disease (MD) is an emerging dermopathy with worldwide distribution.

The name “Morgellons” is derived from a disease recognized in the seventeenth century in French children by Sir Thomas Browne. These children were noted to have “coarse hairs” protruding from their backs. The distinguishing feature of MD is the appearance of skin lesions with filaments that lie under, are embedded in, or project from skin.

Filaments can be white, black, or brightly colored.Furthermore, MD patients exhibit a variety of manifestations that resemble symptoms of Lyme disease (LD), such as fatigue, joint pain, and neuropathy.

A study found that 98% of MD subjects had positive LD serology and/or a tickborne disease diagnosis, confirming the clinical association between MD and spirochetal infection. Conversely, 6% of LD patients in an Australian study were found to have MD.