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Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider. Can Morgellons Disease/Syndrome be linked to Lyme Disease? Where do the fibers come from that is embedded in a persons skin?

Search All AHRQ Sites Careers Contact Us Español FAQs Email Updates Effective Health Care Program Powered by the Evidence-based Practice Centers News EHC en Español EHC FAQs EHC Email Updates Search Evidence Reports Search small Search Main navigation Evidence Reports Health Topics Provide Input Research Methods & Tools About EHC Contact EHC Home Evidence Reports Nominated Topics Can Morgellons Disease/Syndrome be linked to Lyme Disease? Where do the fibers come from that is embedded in a persons skin? Can this disease mimic the DNA of hair follicles that becomes very hard to remove from the given area? Why does… SHARE: Can Morgellons Disease/Syndrome be linked to Lyme Disease? Where do the fibers come from that is embedded in a persons skin? Can this disease mimic the DNA of hair follicles that becomes very hard to remove from the given area? Why does… NOMINATED TOPIC | September 25, 2012 Download Topic Suggestion Disposition (PDF, 145.9 KB) Briefly describe a specific question, or set of related questions, about a health care test or treatment that this program should consider. Can Morgellons Disease/Syndrome be linked to Lyme Disease? Where do the fibers come from that is embedded in a persons skin? Can this disease mimic the DNA of hair follicles that becomes very hard to remove from the given area? Why does Morgellons cause Attention Deficit, Bipolar or Obsessive-Compulsive disorders? Does your question include a comparison of different health care approaches? (If no, your topic will still be considered.) yes If yes, explain the specific technologies, devices, drugs, or interventions you would like to see compared: There are doctors who believe it is related to an infectious agent, perhaps in the same family as that which causes Lyme Disease. There is no evidence to prove this theory at the present time. What patients or group(s) of patients does your question apply to? (Please include specific details such as age range, gender, coexisting diagnoses, and indications for therapy.) Adults and Children are equally affected by the disease. Individuals in families can experience symptoms of the disease while other members are unaffected. So it is not known, at this point, if the disease is contagious or inherited. Multiple members of a family can have symptoms. Are there subgroups of patients that your question might apply to? (For example, an ethnic group, stage or severity of a disease.) Most cases in the United States are from specific geographic regions of California, Texas and Florida, though all 50 states have had reported cases. It has been reported worldwide in places such as Europe, South Africa, Japan, The Philippines, Indonesia and Australia. Describe the health-related benefits you are interested in. (For example, improvements in patient symptoms or problems from treatment or diagnosis.) Attention needs to be drawn to Morgellons so: Doctors will become informed and make accurate diagnoses Insurance companies will cover medical expenses Major government organizations (the CDC, for example) will pay attention and start funding research. A cure will be pursued when enough research is done to find its cause. Describe any health-related risks, side effects, or harms that you are concerned about. There have been reports of people committing suicide because they have these symptoms. This disease causes dis-figuration. It is very painful, causes a person with this disease to become secluded. Short-term memory loss. Attention Deficit, Bipolar or Obsessive-Compulsive disorders Impaired thought processing (brain fog) Depression and feelings of isolation Appropriateness for EHC Program Does your question include a health care drug, intervention, device, or technology available (or likely to be available) in the U.S.? no Which priority area(s) and population(s) does this topic apply to? (check all that apply) EHC Priority Conditions (updated in 2008) Arthritis and nontraumatic joint disorders Depression and other mental health disorders Developmental delays, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism Functional limitations and disability Obesity Substance abuse AHRQ Priority Populations Low income groups Minority groups Women Children Elderly Individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities or who need chronic care or end-of-life health care Federal Health Care Program Medicaid Medicare State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Other Importance Describe why this topic is important. This topic is important to me because I believe I have Morgelloms. I seem to have these things in my throat. I choke alot when I eat certain foods. I'm depressed. I keep my head down to the ground because I don't like people looking at my lower face because its disfigured. sometimes I just want to die, I can't because I have children and grandchildren. I spend hours pulling hairs and fibers out of my skin. The hair and fibers keep growing under my skin. Then I feel like the hair...

Can Morgellons Disease/Syndrome be linked to Lyme Disease? Where do the fibers come from that is embedded in a persons skin? Can this disease mimic the DNA of hair follicles that becomes very hard to remove from the given area? Why does… | Effective Health Care (EHC) Program