Morgellons disease is a highly debated condition without a formal staging system. While some have proposed stages based on the location and severity of the condition, not everyone agrees. Morgellons is characterized by the presence of unusual fibers under the skin that may erupt, as well as rashes, sores, intense itching, and many other symptoms. Having staging in place could greatly benefit patients and medical teams, alike.
Morgellons disease is a complex medical condition that has been controversial over the years. While the more it is understood, the better it can be treated, not enough research has been done to aid in diagnosing and treating the condition — including the standardization of staging.
This article explores where the community currently stands on the stages of Morgellons disease and what you need to know about them.
What is Morgellons Disease?
Morgellons disease raises a lot of controversy amongst researchers and medical professionals as many believe it walks a fine line between a psychological and a medical condition. But to the thousands who suffer from the condition, Morgellons disease is very real. Many in the medical community agree, too.
So, what is Morgellons disease?
It is a condition that is characterized by the presence of unusual thread-like fibers embedded in the skin. These fibers can emerge from the skin itself or through rashes or sores found on the surface. Research has determined that these threads are not textiles but rather made up of keratin and collagen. Patients also report that they have a crawling sensation under or on their skin.
The cause of this condition is unknown. Many believe that there is a link between Morgellons disease and Lyme disease. They are complex medical issues with chronic symptoms and some researchers believe that the bacteria Borrelia spirochetes plays a role in both.
Specific Symptoms Found in Morgellons Disease
The symptoms of Morgellons disease can vary from patient to patient, but they all tend to be quite similar. These include:
- Strong itching sensation
- Feelings of something crawling under the skin
- Severe fatigue
- Brain fog
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Muscle and joint pain
- Sleep disturbances
- Sores on the skin that are slow-healing
Symptoms that may appear in later stages include:
Stages of Morgellons Disease
While Morgellons disease is still being researched and understood, there has been a lot of debate over creating a staging system for the disease. However, it is so important for diagnosing the condition.
One has been proposed to give medical professionals a way to categorize the presentations of the disease based on features and severity, such as Stage A (mild), Stage B (moderate), and Stage C (severe).
This has been the unofficial go-to for many. Let’s take a look at a clearer explanation of the stages of Morgellons Disease.
Early Localized
This first stage of Morgellons disease involves lesions and fibers that appear for 3 months or less and are found only in one localized area of the body. For many patients, this is on the arms, legs, torso, or head.
During this time, the skin may look inflamed with small pimple-like bumps. Patients will often complain about headaches, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, stiffness in the neck, fever, chills, nausea, and a rash.
Early Disseminated
The early disseminated stage is when fibers and lesions appear for less than three months, but they are found all over the body rather than in just one particular area. Still, there are common areas where this happens — the arms, legs, torso, or head.
Other symptoms also impact patients in this stage. They may experience those in the first stage, as well as facial paralysis, weaknesses in the arms and legs, vision changes, palpitations, arrhythmias, chest pain, and rashes.
Late Localized
As the condition advances, the lesions and fibers tend to stick around a bit longer. In this stage, they appear for over six months. And they will be found in one area of the body — most commonly the arms, legs, torso, and head.
Late Disseminated
Finally, the last stage of Morgellons disease is late disseminated. This is when the lesions and fibers are present for more than six months. But, rather than just being found in a localized area, they can be found all over the body. Again, they tend to be found on the arms, legs, torso, or head.
Advanced symptoms to look out for include arthritis, vertigo, dizziness, tendon and joint pain, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, mental health disorders, brain fog, and heart problems.
Staging Morgellons Disease: What the Future Holds
There has been a lot of debate and difference in professional opinion when it comes to Morgellons disease. However, one thing is certain — more research is needed. The proposed staging system is a start, but there is a lot that we don’t understand. This makes it difficult to define a standardized plan for diagnosing, staging, and treating the condition.
Previous studies have been limited, especially in their patient population. And with many symptoms being subjective, such as fatigue and joint pain, it can be tough to create a definitive system. Additional research could help promote a better standard of care for those who present with the condition.
Seek Treatment at Lyme Mexico
With such a lack of consensus in the medical community concerning Morgellons disease, it can be tough to get the treatment you need.
Lyme Mexico Clinic may focus on Lyme disease, but they use a multidisciplinary approach that can benefit those with Morgellons disease. There is no definitive cure, but there are treatment options available.
If you are willing to travel outside the U.S. to find healing, then visit us at Lyme Mexico Clinic.
Conclusion
While a staging system for Morgellons disease has been proposed, there are still a lot of unknowns. Many researchers and those in the community agree that more research needs to be done to successfully address patients.
If you believe you have Morgellons disease, getting the right help can lead to significant improvements.
Consider traveling outside of the country to meet with a top clinic, Lyme Mexico. The Lyme Mexico Clinic can meet all your diagnostic and treatment needs. Learn more about Lyme disease or schedule an evaluation. We can discuss your symptoms and the alternative treatment options that work.