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Unexplained Dermopathy (aka "Morgellons")
General Information
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has received an increased number of inquiries regarding an unexplained skin condition which some refer to as “Morgellons.” Persons who suffer from this unexplained skin condition report a range of cutaneous (skin) symptoms including crawling, biting and stinging sensations; granules, threads, fibers, or black speck-like materials on or beneath the skin; and/or skin lesions (e.g., rashes or sores). In addition to skin manifestations, some sufferers also report fatigue, mental confusion, short term memory loss, joint pain, and changes in vision.
The cause of this condition is unknown, and the medical community has insufficient information to determine whether persons who identify themselves as having this condition have a common cause for their symptoms or share common risk factors.
To assist in learning more about this condition, CDC is conducting an epidemiologic investigation. To learn more about the investigation, please refer to the following link: CDC's Unexplained Dermopathy Investigation. CDC held a telebriefing for the press on January 16,2008 to announce the epidemiologic investigation. To read the complete transcript of the telebriefing, refer to this link: http://www.cdc.gov/media/transcripts/2008/t080116.htm
Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to frequently asked questions, click on the links below.
- Does CDC have evidence that this is a new condition?
- Does CDC have evidence that this condition is increasing?
- I (or my family member) am/is suffering from this skin condition, what should I do?
- Is this condition contagious?
- How do I find a physician?
- Is CDC aware that some web sites claim they have products that will treat/cure this condition?
- I have more questions; whom can I contact?
Does CDC have evidence that this is a new condition?
We do not know the cause of this condition or whether this condition is new. CDC has received an increased number of inquires from persons who report similar symptoms; therefore, we are conducting an investigation to learn more about this unexplained dermopathy.
Does CDC have evidence that this condition is increasing?
CDC has received an increased number of calls regarding this condition; however, this may represent an increase in the awareness of this condition rather than an actual increase in the number of persons with this condition.
I (or my family member) am/is suffering from this skin condition, what should I do?
Persons who believe they may suffer from this condition should contact a healthcare provider for evaluation and medical care. CDC is not a clinical facility and does not provide clinical care or consultation to patients.
The factors associated with acquiring this condition are unknown. At this time, there is insufficient information to determine whether or not this condition is contagious.
CDC is a public health institution that is a part of the federal government. CDC does not maintain a referral list of providers and can not refer patients to specific health care providers. However, you may be able to identify an appropriate physician in your area by using online physician locators that have been established by professional medical societies such as the American Medical Association or the American Academy of Dermatology.
Is CDC aware that some web sites claim they have products that will treat/cure this condition?
Yes. We are aware of some web sites that make these claims, including some that imply CDC support of their products. CDC can not validate the information or product claims of those web sites and does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment or medications for this condition. Consumers should seek input from their healthcare providers before purchasing or using products (e.g., skin creams, pills, and other medications) or equipment that are marketed as treatments for this condition.
I have more questions; whom can I contact?
Inquiries regarding this condition can be sent to:
E-mail: morgellonssyndrome@cdc.gov or
Phone: 404-718-1199 (Pre-recorded message with voice mail)
At this time, we are not able to provide individual responses to each inquiry, but our public inquiry e-mail and phone line are checked regularly. Answers to frequently asked questions will be posted to this website and this website will be updated with new information as it becomes available.
* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Content Source: National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (ZVED)
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