

In this case, the fibers in the MD lesions were actually found to be from the environment and not the body. Dyes were detected in some samples as well.Ī 2016 case study used an electron microscope to compare fibers collected from a person with MD to fibers collected around their apartment, like human hair, pet hair, or plastic fibers. It found that they were mostly made of superficial skin or from cellulose, which is a component of cotton fibers found in clothing. The 2012 CDC study analyzed 23 fiber or material samples collected from 12 study participants. But certain research indicates otherwise. Some believe that the microscopic fibers in MD are produced by the body. The fibers themselves are also controversial.

Both psychological and infectious causes have been proposed. The lack of understanding about MD has led to controversy around the condition. Why is Morgellons a controversial condition? Clinically significant depression was the next most common finding (11 percent). This is when physical symptoms cause significant worry or distress. Over half of them (54 percent) rated their overall health as fair to poor.Īdditionally, of the 40 people that completed a psychiatric assessment, 63 percent were found to have clinically significant somatic concerns. Study participants also frequently reported experiencing chronic fatigue. Of this population, people reporting MD were more likely to be: Researchers were able to identify 115 individuals with self-reported MD within an area of Northern California. The findings of this study were published in 2012 in the scientific journal PLoS One. The goal was to better characterize MD as a condition and learn more about the people who develop it. In response to the lack of information on MD at the time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a population-based study between 20. Because of this, there are limited studies on who exactly gets MD and if there are any risk factors associated with it.

MD is still a rather mysterious and poorly characterized condition.
