MORGELLONS
IS A PHYSICAL ILLNESS
Morgellons is a multi-system disease with
an infectious cause, Borrelia, spirochetal
bacteria which are also found in Lyme
disease. The distinguishing characteristic
of Morgellons disease is the presence of
microscopic fibers within the skin. With the
use of lighted, handheld microscopes (60-
100x) these unusual, often colored fibers
can be found beneath completely intact
skin and embedded in open skin lesions.
IT CAN AFFECT ANYONE
Morgellons affects people of all ages,
genders and ethnic groups. Adults and
children, as well as animals, have been
reported with symptoms.
THESE ARE THE SYMPTOMS
• Intense itching, stinging or biting feelings
• Crawling sensations under the skin
• Skin lesions which may take years to heal
• Black specks in or on the skin
• Fine, thread-like fibers beneath or
emerging from the skin
• Fatigue impacting activities-of-daily
living
• Neurological impairment and diminished
cognitive abilities
• Gastrointestinal changes
• Muscle aches, joint pain
• Sleep disturbances
• New onset of anxiety or panic
• Cognitive disturbances, “brain fog”
• Visual Changes
IT CAN BE DIAGNOSED
A clinical diagnosis includes:
• An overall physical exam
• Viewing of fibers in the skin at 60-100x
magnification
• Evaluation of symptoms
Presently there are no specific tests for
Morgellons. Lab tests for Borrelia burgdorferi
(Bb) called Lyme tests are blood tests to detect
Bb antigen/ antibodies, but are presently
unreliable.
NOT A DELUSIONAL CONDITION
There is a real need for the medical community
to understand Morgellons. Patients are
often misdiagnosed with Delusions of
Parasitosis (DOP). Insufficient lab tests can
mistakenly identify Morgellons fibers as
textile contamination, misleading physicians
to conclude their patients have caused these
physical symptoms. The DOP diagnosis
should never be rendered until a thorough
examination has been given and all other
causes ruled out.
Scarring, lesions, and skin pigment changes seen in
female with Morgellons for 10+ years.
Fibers viewed at 60-100x within skin of same patient
IT CAN BE TREATED
Studies show 97% of Morgellons patients
have evidence of existing Lyme disease.
Lyme specialists take Morgellons seriously
offering care according to clinical findings.
For assistance in locating a specialist:
www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org
Dr. Randy E. Wymore
and Carol Saylor-Hefley
at the OSH-CHS Center
for the Investigation of
Morgellons Disease
RESEARCH FOR A CURE
Since 2005, medical research has been
conducted at Oklahoma State University
at Tulsa under the direction of Dr. Randy
S.Wymore, PhD. Marianne Middelveen,
a Canadian veterinary microbiologist
discovered similarities between Morgellons
disease and BDD, a cattle disease caused
by a spirochetal infection. In 2011 The
Holman Foundation supplied funding for
research to Ms. Middelveen and Raphael
Stricker, MD, a pioneer in Morgellons
disease. This effort led to the detection
and isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi, and
other closely related Borrelia species in
skin specimens from Morgellons patients.
Studies continue to produce promising
results, and demonstrate a physiological
basis for this disease. This peer-reviewed
research is available on our website.
MORGELLONS
IS A PHYSICAL ILLNESS
Morgellons is a multi-system disease with
an infectious cause, Borrelia, spirochetal
bacteria which are also found in Lyme
disease. The distinguishing characteristic
of Morgellons disease is the presence of
microscopic fibers within the skin. With the
use of lighted, handheld microscopes (60-
100x) these unusual, often colored fibers
can be found beneath completely intact
skin and embedded in open skin lesions.
IT CAN AFFECT ANYONE
Morgellons affects people of all ages,
genders and ethnic groups. Adults and
children, as well as animals, have been
reported with symptoms.
THESE ARE THE SYMPTOMS
• Intense itching, stinging or biting feelings
• Crawling sensations under the skin
• Skin lesions which may take years to heal
• Black specks in or on the skin
• Fine, thread-like fibers beneath or
emerging from the skin
• Fatigue impacting activities-of-daily
living
• Neurological impairment and diminished
cognitive abilities
• Gastrointestinal changes
• Muscle aches, joint pain
• Sleep disturbances
• New onset of anxiety or panic
• Cognitive disturbances, “brain fog”
• Visual Changes
IT CAN BE DIAGNOSED
A clinical diagnosis includes:
• An overall physical exam
• Viewing of fibers in the skin at 60-100x
magnification
• Evaluation of symptoms
Presently there are no specific tests for
Morgellons. Lab tests for Borrelia burgdorferi
(Bb) called Lyme tests are blood tests to detect
Bb antigen/ antibodies, but are presently
unreliable.
NOT A DELUSIONAL CONDITION
There is a real need for the medical community
to understand Morgellons. Patients are
often misdiagnosed with Delusions of
Parasitosis (DOP). Insufficient lab tests can
mistakenly identify Morgellons fibers as
textile contamination, misleading physicians
to conclude their patients have caused these
physical symptoms. The DOP diagnosis
should never be rendered until a thorough
examination has been given and all other
causes ruled out.
Scarring, lesions, and skin pigment changes seen in
female with Morgellons for 10+ years.
Fibers viewed at 60-100x within skin of same patient
IT CAN BE TREATED
Studies show 97% of Morgellons patients
have evidence of existing Lyme disease.
Lyme specialists take Morgellons seriously
offering care according to clinical findings.
For assistance in locating a specialist:
www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org www.ilads.org
Dr. Randy E. Wymore
and Carol Saylor-Hefley
at the OSH-CHS Center
for the Investigation of
Morgellons Disease
RESEARCH FOR A CURE
Since 2005, medical research has been
conducted at Oklahoma State University
at Tulsa under the direction of Dr. Randy
S.Wymore, PhD. Marianne Middelveen,
a Canadian veterinary microbiologist
discovered similarities between Morgellons
disease and BDD, a cattle disease caused
by a spirochetal infection. In 2011 The
Holman Foundation supplied funding for
research to Ms. Middelveen and Raphael
Stricker, MD, a pioneer in Morgellons
disease. This effort led to the detection
and isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi, and
other closely related Borrelia species in
skin specimens from Morgellons patients.
Studies continue to produce promising
results, and demonstrate a physiological
basis for this disease. This peer-reviewed
research is available on our website.
Lyme specialists take Morgellons seriously
offering care according to clinical findings.
For assistance in locating a specialist:
www.LymeDiseaseAssociation.org
Dr. Randy E. Wymore
and Carol Saylor-Hefley
at the OSH-CHS Center
for the Investigation of
Morgellons Disease
RESEARCH FOR A CURE
Since 2005, medical research has been
conducted at Oklahoma State University
at Tulsa under the direction of Dr. Randy
S.Wymore, PhD. Marianne Middelveen,
a Canadian veterinary microbiologist
discovered similarities between Morgellons
disease and BDD, a cattle disease caused
by a spirochetal infection. In 2011 The
Holman Foundation supplied funding for
research to Ms. Middelveen and Raphael
Stricker, MD, a pioneer in Morgellons
disease. This effort led to the detection
and isolation of Borrelia burgdorferi, and
other closely related Borrelia species in
skin specimens from Morgellons patients.
Studies continue to produce promising
results, and demonstrate a physiological
basis for this disease. This peer-reviewed
research is available on our website.
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