Morgellons Myths

Various myths have arisen around the Morgellons story in the media. The problem with such myths is that by repetition, they get elevated from simple misrepresentations and errors to established facts. This site is about investigating some of the more unusual claims regarding Morgellons, and hopefully dispelling the Morgellons myths.

Myth #1 – 4500 People have Morgellons

False. 4500 people have filled in a survey on Morgellons.org, unfortunately the symptoms described in the survey are so vague that practically anyone could qualify as to having Morgellons. No usable case definition exists for Morgellons

Myth #2 – Since the CDC is investigating it, it must be real.

False. The CDC is investigating the Morgellons reports, to determine IF it is real. Dan Rutz, spokesman for the CDC, says “We don’t have any evidence to support that [there’s an infectious process going on]”, and “In the absence of any objective review, people have jumped to conclusions and found each other on the Internet and formed their own belief structure.”

Myth #3 – There is photographic evidence of Morgellons

False. There are a lot of photos, particularly of fibers. The problem is that the vast majority of these fiber photos look just like normal fibers from clothing, bandages, bedding and furniture. Fibers are everywhere, and they inevitably get onto your skin. One researcher claims to have found a few fibers he cannot identify, but forensic investigations often have unidentified fibers, so this tells us nothing.

Myth #4 – Doctors have observed fibers emerging from the skin

Dubious. The claim is that fibers were observed “within 45 seconds“, and yet on the recent CNN report, at least six star patients were examined over two days with the CNN cameras present, and using a portable video microscope. The best evidence they were able to present was a single blue cotton fiber laying on top of the skin. If the evidence is so obvious, why could it not be videoed?

Myth #5 – Morgellons sufferers are really sick, and it’s not all in their heads.

TRUE – Not a myth at all, yet the Morgellons Research Foundation seeks to portray this as a struggle between an new disease, and a summary diagnosis of mental illness. The real situation is a lot more complex.

The Morgellons research Foundation is currently gearing up for a new media promotional piece they are organizing with ABC’s Prime Time: Medical Mysteries, possible to be aired in early August. In this piece they will continue to promote these, and other, myths. I believe this deliberate misrepresentation of the facts is encouraging people to make decisions regarding their health care that may be harmful to their health.