After years of research, the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta still can't explain a bizarre illness called Morgellons.
The syndrome was discovered in 2002 by biologist Mary Leitao of McMurray, Pa. after noticing odd parasitic-looking strings under her child's skin.
Leitao named Morgellons after a similar skin disease from the 1600s.
Thousands of Americans suffered in silence for years from the illness until the fall of 2006 when the CDC launched a comprehensive investigation.
Fox 8 News Reporter Suzanne Stratford traveled to Atlanta and met with investigators and Morgellons sufferers.
None of the patients wanted their names published for fear of backlash or public scrutiny since it still was not known if the disease is contagious.
One woman said, "They're in my mouth, in my throat and in my tongue."
A man we'll call Gary said, "I had a doctor remove a worm from my scalp."
The stinging, burning, worm-like, colorful fibers appear to creep under their skin like parasites and seem to surface through cuts and sores.
Patients like Gary said their doctors told them they were crazy.
"She labeled me 'delusions of parasitosis' without giving me a biopsy, skin scrape or stool sample," he said.
Now more than 5 years later the CDC released it's findings.
After studying 3.2 million people and 115 Morgellons patients the report said, "No single underlying medical condition or infectious source was identified."
Also, neuro-psychological testing revealed "a substantial number of study participants who scored highly in screening tests for one or more co-existing psychiatric or addictive conditions including depression, somatic concerns (an indicator of preoccupation with health issues) and drug use."
The CDC called the materials and fibers "mostly cellulose" and "compatible with cotton fibers."
They said the unexplained "apparent dermopathy demonstrated no infectious cause and no evidence of an environmental link."
But independent Morgellons researchers disagree.
Over the years Dr. Randy Wymore conducted multiple studies from his lab at Oklahoma State University.
"Humans don't grow red and blue fibers," said Dr. Wymore. "That's what it boils down to but the fibers are still there."
Dr. Wymore's tests show that the fibers are not textile or organic.
"Blowing ones mind is a way to describe it!" he said.
People suffering with Morgellons point out that the CDC study said a lot about what Morgellons isn't but still doesn't reveal the source of the strange disease.
And they said they have the strings and sores to prove it.
The more you try to heal it the less it responds to treatment.
"It makes no sense, it's very bizarre," said Dr. Wymore.
To read the study, click here.
More information on Morgellons can be found here.
The syndrome was discovered in 2002 by biologist Mary Leitao of McMurray, Pa. after noticing odd parasitic-looking strings under her child's skin.
Leitao named Morgellons after a similar skin disease from the 1600s.
Thousands of Americans suffered in silence for years from the illness until the fall of 2006 when the CDC launched a comprehensive investigation.
Fox 8 News Reporter Suzanne Stratford traveled to Atlanta and met with investigators and Morgellons sufferers.
None of the patients wanted their names published for fear of backlash or public scrutiny since it still was not known if the disease is contagious.
One woman said, "They're in my mouth, in my throat and in my tongue."
A man we'll call Gary said, "I had a doctor remove a worm from my scalp."
The stinging, burning, worm-like, colorful fibers appear to creep under their skin like parasites and seem to surface through cuts and sores.
Patients like Gary said their doctors told them they were crazy.
"She labeled me 'delusions of parasitosis' without giving me a biopsy, skin scrape or stool sample," he said.
Now more than 5 years later the CDC released it's findings.
After studying 3.2 million people and 115 Morgellons patients the report said, "No single underlying medical condition or infectious source was identified."
Also, neuro-psychological testing revealed "a substantial number of study participants who scored highly in screening tests for one or more co-existing psychiatric or addictive conditions including depression, somatic concerns (an indicator of preoccupation with health issues) and drug use."
The CDC called the materials and fibers "mostly cellulose" and "compatible with cotton fibers."
They said the unexplained "apparent dermopathy demonstrated no infectious cause and no evidence of an environmental link."
But independent Morgellons researchers disagree.
Over the years Dr. Randy Wymore conducted multiple studies from his lab at Oklahoma State University.
"Humans don't grow red and blue fibers," said Dr. Wymore. "That's what it boils down to but the fibers are still there."
Dr. Wymore's tests show that the fibers are not textile or organic.
"Blowing ones mind is a way to describe it!" he said.
People suffering with Morgellons point out that the CDC study said a lot about what Morgellons isn't but still doesn't reveal the source of the strange disease.
And they said they have the strings and sores to prove it.
The more you try to heal it the less it responds to treatment.
"It makes no sense, it's very bizarre," said Dr. Wymore.
To read the study, click here.
More information on Morgellons can be found here.
