Morgellons Disease

What is the Cause of Morgellons Disease? What is the Cure?

Explore Seven Prominent Theories Connected to Morgellons Disease and Three Healing Strategies

When I opened an online store to sell organic pesticides in 2009, I pictured myself dealing with farmers, gardeners and landscaping professionals. I was shocked by the number of mite afflicted customers who reported strange symptoms such as brain fog, muscle aches and chronic fatigue. I have since learned that some mite cases are straightforward and others are horrifyingly complex.

In a straightforward case, the occupants within an infested structure may feel crawling sensations or random pricks, especially at night. Such cases are often connected to concrete sources such as bird nests in gutters, rodent activity, excessive mold, new landscaping materials, infected pets or infected house plants. Home treatment and cleanup can be devastatingly chronic and emotionally unbearable, but physical sickness does not necessarily result.

By contrast, Morgellons victims are often quite ill. They may report excessive fatigue, decreased mental clarity, nausea, muscle aches, swollen joints, chronic skin lesions or sores that project fibers. They may describe excessive debris in the home, bizarre films on surfaces, eye goop, crystalized particles, sand-like granules or black seed-like specks. When efforts are made to collect and analyze the particles, lab technicians will almost certainly rule that they are blackheads, skin flakes, dried blood drops or random fibers from clothing or blankets. For this reason, Morgellons disease is formally defined as an imagined disorder related to delusional parasitosis.

In January of 2012, CDC researchers issued the results of their multi-year study, indicating that there were no disease organisms present in people with Morgellons. Critics of the study charged that the CDC purposely selected candidates from an unsuitable HMO database to build a sample population that would yield results more consistent with mainstream medical opinion. Morgellons advocates and supporters had hoped that the CDC would pull from a database of people identified by experts who actively study the disease. Instead, the CDC pulled from a database of people diagnosed with “Delusional Parasitiosis” and “Unexplained Apparent Dermopathy.” A common thread among study participants was a history of drug abuse and psychiatric problems.

Despite the CDC ruling, Morgellons disease has not gone away, and a growing number of doctors and researchers have stepped forward to defend those who suffer from this mysterious condition. Below you will find a list of seven popular theories used to explain how Morgellons disease develops.

The Lyme Connection to Morgellons Disease

According to a study of 25 patients conducted by IGeneX Reference Laboratories, Morgellons is a true somatic illness associated with Borrelia spirochetes–the corkscrew shaped bacteria that cause Lyme disease. (Source: https://bmcdermatol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12895-015-0023-0).

Five additional studies and multiple academic papers have shown a connection between Borrelia Burgdorferi and Morgellons disease. (Source: https://www.lymedisease.org/new-studies-morgellons).

Deer ticks aren’t the only insects capable of spreading Lyme. According to Dr. Deitrich Klinghardt, one of the world’s leading authorities on Lyme disease, the bacteria can also be spread by mosquitoes, spiders, fleas, and mites. (Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/10/13/under-our-skin-documentary.aspx).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease in the US every year. That’s 1.5 times the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer, and six times the number of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS each year in the US. (Source: https://www.lymedisease.org/lyme-basics/lyme-disease/about-lyme).

Lyme victims usually don’t remember receiving a bite from a tick. The telltale bulleye rash that often follows a tick bite does not occur with mite bites. Some mite clients report tiny red spots that look as if they may have been inflicted by the head of a pin. Usually, there are no signs of rash or excessive irritation. Tick bites may produce erythema migrans, an expanding area of redness that begins at the site of a tick bite about a week after it has occurred. The rash is usually not itchy or painful. Other early symptoms of Lyme may include fever, headache or excessive fatigue.

If untreated, Lyme Disease may lead to joint pains, severe headaches, heart palpitations and loss of muscle control in the face. Lyme is called “The Great Imitator” because its symptoms mimic many other diseases. Patients with Lyme disease are frequently misdiagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and various psychiatric illnesses. Lyme can affect any organ of the body, including the brain, heart, muscles and joints. In extreme cases, the entire nervous system may fall under attack.

The Candida Connection to Morgellons Disease

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of a specific type of yeast known as Candida Albicans. When it affects the mouth, it is commonly called thrush. When it affects the vagina, it is known as a yeast infection. In males, candida may cause excessive itching of the rectum or penis. In both males and females, it may cause chronic toenail fungus. In rare cases, Candida infection may become invasive, spreading to other parts of the body. Unlike localized Candida infections in the mouth and vagina, invasive candidiasis is a serious infection that can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes and bones.

There are some very compelling reasons why Morgellons doctors automatically put patients on strict low carbohydrate diets designed to eliminate Candida.

Many people with Lyme and Morgellons have Candida issues. (http://lymeconnection.org/news_publications/meet_the_lyme_disease_experts.html/title/the-lyme-diet-dr-nicola-mcfadzean).

A symbiotic relationship exists between yeast and parasites. Parasites give off an exotoxin that allows yeast to thrive, and yeast gives off an exotoxin that allows parasites to thrive. (Source: https://www.ihealthtube.com/video/how-tell-if-you-have-candida-or-parasites).

It has often been proposed that parasites, including mosquitoes, are more attracted to individuals who harbor too much candida. (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-do-mosquitoes-bite-some-people-more-than-others-10255934).

Candida overgrowth in the intestines promotes fatigue and causes intense carbohydrate cravings. It’s a vicious cycle – eating sugar promotes the growth of intestinal yeast and having too much yeast in your gut makes you crave sugar. (Source: https://www.liverdoctor.com/is-a-candida-infection-driving-your-sugar-cravings).

Vegetarians often have the worst signs of Candida overgrowth due to diets loaded with bread and sugary fruits. (Source: https://www.nationalcandidacenter.com/Frequently-Asked-Questions-s/1837.htm)

Imagine my shock in 2010 when scores of pesticide customers began to tell me that they felt “less attracted” to parasites in their environment after eliminating yeast and sugar from their diets. My clients have always been very excited to discuss their progress and share tips that I can pass on to others. Through the years, I’ve learned so much from them. Above all, I’ve learned that Morgellons doesn’t have to be forever. Many people are able to resume normal lives. For more information about diet and supplementation, please proceed to the healing section at the bottom of this page.

Breast Implants and Morgellons Disease

When large foreign objects are introduced into the body, it can cause a host of auto immune responses. Immune system failure allows opportunistic organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites to grow unchecked and spread out of control. These microbes produce bio-toxins which overload our organs of detoxification. To complicate matters, the implants themselves may be filled with fungus, especially if they are more than 20 years old.

Upon researching thousands of silicon implant cases, Dr. Rahim Karjoo discovered that as many as 10 percent of confirmed Morgellons cases involved patients with breast implants. He found that it was not uncommon for breast implant recipients to report Morgellons type symptoms, including skin lesions, abnormal hair changes, bizarre skin sensations, GI disturbances and joint problems. (Source: implanthttp://www.morgellonsmedicalcenter.com/cdc-silica.html).

Several more reports have shown that fungi may be able to survive, colonize, and even cause infection inside saline-filled devices. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15457030).

Older implants may be more likely to harbor fungus, as operating room practices have changed for the better. Fungal infections were once said to be caused by the open-bowl technique, which is now obsolete. Fungus from the air got into the open bowl of saline beside the sterile operating field, thus contaminating the saline that was being used to fill the implants. (Source: https://www.dbreath.com/blog/the-truth-about-mold-in-saline-breast-implants).

Myiasis and Morgellons Disease

Myiasis is the parasitic infestation of a mammal by fly larvae (maggots) that grow inside the host while feeding on its tissue. Common myiatic flies include the botfly, blowfly and screwfly. Flies are most commonly attracted to open wounds and feces-stained fur, but some species can infest unbroken skin. Myiatic infestations of human skin are not terribly common in the United States, but these flies may be brought into homes via houseplants raised in tropical locations and sold in local stores. They may use moist soil and non-myiatic flies as vector agents for their parasitic larvae.

Micro-myiasis is a term coined by a Morgellons researcher in the UK. His theory describes a type of myiasis involving small, primitive fly species that are better measured in microns than milimeters. Children, the elderly, the disabled and the immuno-compromised are said to be particularly susceptible to micro-myiatic infections due to lack of physical mobility, decreased personal hygiene and stronger body odors. (Source: http://www.morgellonsuk.org.uk/micromyiasis.htm)

Myiatic infestations of the skin and scalp are primarily reported in tropical regions, but they can happen just about anywhere. This report comes from Indiana: http://www.animalplanet.com/tv-shows/monsters-inside-me/videos/self-diagnosing-a-head-pain.

Bartonella and Morgellons Disease

Bartonellosis is an infectious disease produced by bacteria of the genus Bartonella. It is associated with Carrión´s disease, trench fever, cat-scratch disease, bacillary angiomatosis, peliosis hepatis, chronic bacteremia, endocarditis, chronic lymphadenopathy, and neurological disorders. Symptoms of Bartonella infection may include fever, headache, rash and bone pain.

As one of the most common infections in the world, Bartonella often exists as a co-infection to Lyme disease. According to Dr. James Schaller, a Lyme and Bartonella expert, it would be more accurate to view Bartonella as the primary infection and Lyme as the co-infection. Dr. Schaller asserts that Bartonella turns off antibodies, fevers and immune defense chemicals as it damages organs in 20 to 60 ways. (Source: http://www.lyme-morgellons.com/calcifying-bartonella.html).

Springtails (Collembola) and Morgellons Disease

Springtails are primitive mold loving organisms defined as hexapods, but they are often mistaken for mites. As inhabitants of fertile soil, they are considered to be the most abundant macroscopic organisms on earth. Their primary function is to break down decaying matter such as rotting mulch or leaf litter. Since prehistoric times, they have survived frigid winters and brutally hot summers, but their numbers decrease exponentially under dry conditions.

Researchers at the Oklahoma State Department of Health took skin samples from 20 patients diagnosed with delusional parasitosis and found Collembola in 18 of the 20 patients. Extensive scrutiny using advanced imaging software was necessary to detect the microscopic nymphs. (Source: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1664/0028-7199(2004)112%5B0087%3ACSAHEF%5D2.0.CO%3B2).

Although the Oklahoma study was discredited many years ago, many parasite afflicted customers claim that they’ve found springtails on their beds, couches, scalp and skin. An entomologist would insist that springtails do not bite or infest humans. A Morgellons advocate would say that all sorts of micro tiny creatures can become wildly attracted to diseased individuals who are infected by dangerous amounts of yeast, mold or fungus. Politics aside, there is no dispute that springtails can infest homes by the millions and become a colossal nuisance. In residential cases, Springtails are known to multiply under damp wood floors and breed behind damp or decaying wood siding. They love mulch beds, wet basements, bathroom floors, kitchen sink cabinets and other areas where mold flourishes. Sadly, it often becomes necessary to remove carpets and discard couches and beds. For more information about battling springtails, please proceed to our Collembola Page.

Chem Trails and Morgellons Disease

It’s hard to research Morgellons disease without running into people who believe that their nightmarish skin conditions were caused by chemical trails containing a fungal agent created to eradicate illegal drug crops. This agent is said to be aggressive, self-propagating, infectious and deadly. Chem trails were big news among conspiracy theorists before the connection between Lyme and Morgellons was firmly established. Chem trails are nonetheless an interesting topic, and the passionate Morgellons warrior in this video explains the controversy far better than I ever could. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiXuw9cqrY0

Morgellons Doctors

According to Trish Springstead, registered nurse and Morgellons patient advocate, “There are doctors out there charging thousands up front to dump chemical steroids, antibiotics and antiparasitics into their bodies because that is all they know. I know people have to make a living, but God Almighty, they are making a killing on the misery of these people.” Trish has identified a list of responsible Morgellons doctors. If you’ve had a good experience with a Morgellon’s doctor, please send me his or her name so that I might add it to the list. In the meantime, I highly recommend that you read the Natural News interview with Trisha Springstead. Learn how to treat this disorder organically by avoiding the environmental toxins that leave us more vulnerable to disease.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/025959_disease_products_WHO.html

Dr. Amelia Withington in Virginia

Dr. Cheryl Reed, in Tampa, Florida

Dr. Jergens Winkler in Oceanside, California

Dr. James Matthews in Maryland

Dr. Gary Smith in Alabama

Dr. Susan Kolb in Atlanta

Dr. Peterson in Citrus, Florida

Morgellons Healing Strategies

The following advice is not meant to replace ongoing visits to medical doctors. This is a critical time to maintain a healthy relationship with a holistic doctor who will design a protocol to address your personal sensitivities and individual needs. Also note that I’m not a doctor. I’m a pest control specialist who has consulted with thousands of parasite victims at various stages of their illness.

Anti Candida Diet: The basic idea is to “starve” yeast, bacteria and parasites by witholding the sugar and yeast they crave. There are many books and articles designed to help readers eliminate candida overgrowth through diet, but it all comes down to three simple principles. 1.) Avoid sugars at all costs. That includes the natural sugars present in fruit, honey and maple syrup. Sugar feeds all types of bacteria and parasites—both internal and external. Sugar also feeds yeast! 2.) Avoid bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, corn and starchy legumes such as kidney and lima beans. High carbohydrate foods turn to sugar during digestion. The same goes for “healthy” grains such as quinoa, couscous, amaranth, buckwheat and millet. Avoid them during the introductory phase of the diet. 3.) Strive for a high protein diet featuring eggs, chicken, turkey, grass-fed beef and low mercury fish such as wild caught Alaskan salmon, tilapia or cod. Consume a wide variety of low glycemic vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, Brussels sprouts, okra, asparagus, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, celery, onions, spinach, cabbage and salad greens. Whenever possible, choose organically grown vegetables.

Environmental Detoxification: Not surprisingly, many clients come to me after several failed visits from pest control operators.When your immune system is compromised by a serious illness, the last thing you should do is establish a chronic relationship with chemicals that are classified as known carcinogens or probable carcinogens. The same advice is routinely given to cancer patients by doctors around the world. Lyme disease is not cancer, but it does a fantastic job of overloading your organs of detoxification. I would never discourage anyone from trying standard chemical methods up front because I know how truly desperate people become. However, I would like to caution against embarking upon a chemical saturated lifestyle as a way of managing a chronic condition. For ongoing pest control maintenance, choose organic pesticides, cleaning products and laundry additives such as Borax or essential oil concentrates. Again, I highly recommend browsing the article by Nurse Springstead regarding the importance of chemical detoxification.

Skin Detoxification: I was young in this business when I learned about conditions such as Grover’s Disease and Acute Chronic Dermatitis. First time callers reported that they’d used so many harsh chemicals that they feared their skin would never be the same. People who harbor skin parasites are particularly vulnerable to chronic dermatological problems. Repeated use of harsh chemicals can strip your acid mantle, compromise skin immunity and leave you vulnerable to secondary skin infections. Buy a pH testing kit and monitor your levels regularly. Use organic skin pesticides made with high quality essential oils and keep regular appointments with a good holistic doctor to monitor your skin. In the end, topical agents alone cannot bring about a complete healing. Ultimate healing comes from resolving yeast, fungus and bacterial issues within.

Natural Antibiotics: Some of the most powerful natural antioxidants used against cancer and bacterial infections are also widely used to battle Morgellons. Consult a holistic doctor before using all of the supplements on the list below. Natural antibiotics are quite powerful. As the target bacteria dies off and toxins are released from your organs and tissues, it is not uncommon to experience skin reactions and flu-like symptoms. This phenomenon is known as a Herxheimer Reaction. Be sure to stay on the Anti Candida diet while under treatment, as starchy foods can absorb the natural medicines and render them less potent.

Organic Skin Healing Substances

Cannabis Cream: I’ll never forget the call from a Morgellons victim who became infested with mites after a tree clearing operation in her neighborhood. For three years, she battled mites in her home and tried everything possible to get the parasites out of her skin. My heart dropped when she told me about the miraculous healing she’d experienced using a high quality prescription grade cannabis cream. Through tears, she explained that it worked better than any chemical prescription or organic remedy she had ever tried. Indeed, victims of Morgellons and skin cancer alike have delivered many testimonials regarding cannabis, hemp and marijuana products. There has never been a better time to find a sympathetic doctor who might agree to write you a topical prescription.

Manuka Honey: Another wildly popular treatment for skin lesions. Manuka honey is significantly stronger than other types of commercial honey because the manuka tree contains very high levels of an antibacterial compound called methylglyoxal (MGO). Be sure to choose a brand with a lab certified rating of 15+ UMF or higher. Beware that honey can cause serious reactions in people who are allergic to bees or pollen. If you’ve always been able to eat commercial honey as a topping, there should be little reason to worry.

Oregano Oil: Long regarded a superior natural treatment for scabies, oregano oil is too strong for direct application to skin. Holistic doctors generally recommend mixing it with a carrier agent such as coconut oil.

Thieves Oil: This powerful oil is a combination of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus Radiata and Rosemary essential oils. You can buy a prepackaged formulation or make it yourself. Plenty of recipes are available on natural health forums. Again, remember that essential oils should not be applied full strength to skin. Mix them with carrier agents.

Other Essential Oils: The most popular essential oils associated with killing bacteria and fungus are Tea Tree Oil, Cedar Oil, Peppermint Oil, Thyme Oil and Eucalyptus Oil. It comes as no surprise that all of these oils are used in various over-the-counter medications, including mouth washes, vapor rubs, acne products and arthritis treatments.

Bentonite Clay: Bentonite clay is often used in salons for skin detoxification. It is said to draw bacteria and other harmful microbes out of the skin. I once spoke to a woman with horrific complexion problems due to parasites that could often be felt moving under her skin. She was particularly concerned about a cluster of parasites near the corner of her mouth. When several chemical prescriptions and organic treatments failed her, she turned to a daily regime involving bentonite clay and cedar oil. Within weeks, her complexion returned to a healthy state, and she was able to go out in public without feeling dreadfully insecure.

Coconut Oil: There’s a running joke that natural healing enthusiasts throw coconut oil at every illness coming down the pike and expect it to work miracles that doctor’s can’t achieve with their prescription pads. On the positive side, coconut oil is powerful enough to heal chronic bacterial and fungal infections of the skin. I would love to report that great numbers of parasite callers have experienced success using coconut oil alone, but it is not quite the miracle cure for unexplained dermopathy involving parasites. However, it becomes quite powerful when mixed with any of the essential oils discussed above. Scores of holistic doctors view it as a superior carrier agent.

Castor Oil: Castor oil is said to be particularly effective against parasite eggs, but there are no formal studies to back up this assertion. Still, it’s an amazing treatment for demodex mites that congregate along eyelashes. Coconut oil tends to melt very quickly and drip down into the eyes, causing a film that’s more annoying than harmful. When applied along the lash line with a Q-tip, castor oil stays in place all day long. No wonder it’s a wildly popular organic remedy for eyelash growth!

Antibacterial and Antifungal Supplements for Internal Healing

Colloidal Silver (Perhaps the single most popular natural remedy in the Morgellons community. Nutra Silver is the brand of choice among Morgellons victims, as it is said to be 30 times stronger than other brands.)

Grapefruit Seed Extract (A hugely popular supplement in the Morgellons community. Google the success stories!)

Mega Doses of Vitamin C (This standard protocol for cancer is also popular in the Morgellons community.)

Turmeric (Equally effective in the form of a pill.)

Raw Garlic (Said to be much less effective in pill form.)

Wormwood (One of the most standard, old school recommendations for the killing of parasites.)

Black Walnut (Also one of the most standard, old school recommendations for the killing of parasites.)

Oregano Oil Pills (Must be taken with food, as they are quite powerful.)

Resveratrol Pills (A great way to swallow the antioxidant powers of wine without all the yeast and sugar.)

The Power of Antioxidant Teas

Remember that everything you drink will end up in your skin! Just as the body uses water to make sweat, it will carry all liquids to the furthest reaches of your anatomy. Try adding one bag of each type of tea to four cups of boiling water. Allow the bags to steep for ten minutes before serving. Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to boost antioxidant absorption.

Pau D’arco Tea (The tea most associated with killing fungus.)

Hibiscus Tea (The strongest antioxidant tea. Several times stronger than green tea or matcha tea!)

Ginger Tea (The tea most associated with gut healing.)

Rooibos Tea (Loaded with antioxidants, associated with gut healing, and tastes better than other standard healing teas.)

The Importance of Gut Healing

We do terrible things to our bodies when we consume sugar, grain, coffee, soda and alcohol. Acidic drinks compromise the lining of the stomach and intestines, allowing toxins to leak through micro tiny pin holes. Worse yet, the lechtins in grain mediate the attachment and binding of bacteria and viruses to their intended targets. How does this relate to Morgellons and Lynme Disease? Well, if you have any type of disease related to bacteria, yeast or fungus, it’s a capital idea to avoid all foods that promote intestinal permeability and allow candida to spread throughout the body. Leaky gut syndrome is also connected to a host of auto immune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, psoriasis and various chronic digestive ailments.

More Information About Leaky Gut Syndrome and Auto Immune Disorders:

http://thepaleodiet.com/leaky-gut-ibs-psychiatric-disease/

https://draxe.com/7-signs-symptoms-you-have-leaky-gut/