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The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoaxipedia (the museum's online encyclopedia of hoaxes), the Hoax Forum, and the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes.

The museum was created in 1997 by Alex Boese. He's assisted by a staff of deputy curators and docents. Alex is the author of three books, most recently Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments (which has nothing to do with hoaxes). Check out the list of the Top 20 Most Bizarre Experiments of All Time for a preview.


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Morgellons Disease: Is It Real?
image Sufferers of Morgellons disease complain of invisible parasites biting their skin. And they get skin lesions from which sprout strange fibers. And mysterious black spore-like specks appear on their skin. Cases of this strange disease seem to be spreading, especially in the Bay area. One theory is that it has something to do with Lyme disease. Or it may be a case of mass delusion. The medical community seems to think it's mass delusion. Most people who show up complaining of these symptoms get diagnosed with 'delusional parasitosis', which is a psychological problem in which people imagine that they're infested by parasites. Not having any medical qualifications at all, I won't weigh in on whether this is a real disease or mass delusion, but some of the behavior of the patients does sound suspiciously bizarre. Take the case of Theresa Blodgett:

She gathers up the black specks, the mysterious fibers and the small, fuzzy 'cocoons' she finds on her skin and around her home. She tapes the macabre samples to typing paper, but she said no doctor will analyze the collection. Physicians who glance at the specimens dismiss the lot as stray hairs, clothing fibers, scabs and other common household debris, she said.

So either she really is suffering from something and is desperately but unsuccessfully trying to get doctors to pay attention to her, or she's obsessively collecting house dust and stray flecks of dirt and convincing herself that these things are parasites attacking her. (Thanks to 'K' for the links)
Posted By: Alex | Date: Thu Feb 10, 2005 | Permalink | Total Comments: 570
Category: Health/Medicine, Psychology
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Page 18 of 29 pages « First  <  16 17 18 19 20 >  Last »
if you have to say "this is a real disease," when you have bits of carpet coming out of your skin... I mean, come on.

Anyone can make a "foundation." I'm going to make a "foundation" for "people who know that carpet doesn't come out of your skin."
Posted by Anna Banana  on  Fri Mar 17, 2006  at  07:47 AM
While i agree that the "morgellons foundation" is just silly, this is actually a disease. In fact here's the published study:
http://www.headlice.org/report/research/index.html

As for the "fibers", most likely they are just fibers from people clothes that get stuck in the lesions and open wounds caused by the collembola infestation.
Posted by cerulean  on  Fri Mar 17, 2006  at  08:17 AM
I have Morgellons.

Is this a picture of a colembola?

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=626d&.dnm=d6f2.jpg&.src=ph

Or any of these?

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=6320&.dnm=e06a.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=6320&.dnm=22e0.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=6320&.dnm=b167.jpg&.src=ph

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=6320&.dnm=ce37.jpg&.src=ph

Or this?

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=c676&.dnm=9fa4.jpg&.src=ph


Cause that would be nice, as, after 8 years with this scourge of, literally hundreds of nights of, silent scream dispair, and I tire, of it all.

Tonight I will pray for Skin Docs patients and the further pain he inflicts upon them.

For Shame.

Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  in  Vancouver  on  Sun Mar 26, 2006  at  09:40 PM
The following products work very well for getting rid of collembola springtails and the parasites residing in your skin:

1. kleen free to clean environment and take tub bath. The result is excellent, better than any other products:

http://www.notnicetolice.com/

2. dewormer of http://www.7dmc.com

3. Biltricide 600mg X 2 per day
Albenza 400mg x 2 per day
Vermox 500mg X 2 per day

4. Multivitamins and iron supplements

5. Immune booster
AHCC 1000 mg X 2
ImmunoLin 2500 mg X 5
Immuno-Shield
Taurox PS and Taurox fatique
Posted by elai  in  Houston, TX  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  01:09 AM
Bryan,
that's really a question for the experts at identifying collembola in skin scrapings to answer.
That's who you should be asking, especially about this one:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=6320&.dnm=ce37.jpg&.src=ph

I bet $$ there's a bunch in that one.
You gotta think "small"--way smaller.
Collembola have many life stages or instars.
Our collembola are no larger than a human liver cell in their first instar.
Posted by cerulean  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  10:37 AM
Thank you elai, I have seen other protocols but yours agrees most with my findings, the dosages I thank you mostly for as they are the hardest part to determine. I have a QA Engineering Aerospace background that does not apply here (although spacey might lol) and, to a very large degree, I am left on my own with this.

Cerulean,

Thank you for your suggestion, I just may do that, but, to me, that Lil bugger looks like a sea lice... WTH?? It seems I am finding abilities and images that a lot of ocean microorganisms reflect, maybe a place to do more research on possibilities.

The one that intrigues me most(and you know, for an affliction that traumatizes so much, it sure is bloody Fascinating tho eh) is this one.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=c676&.dnm=9fa4.jpg&.src=ph

It is an image that appeared on a viewer I bought (a 'see the little world' childrens science toy) that makes micro macro so I can photo specimens. It was actually on the 'inside' of the screen as I could not wipe it off. But, it was only visible with the screen viewed at a 45 degree angle, and the most interesting part is, when viewed from the other angle (90 degrees away) you see what appears to be its back side...????

Here is a picture of it (and the viewer it is on and, btw, the item on the slide is a dust ball I looked at and inside found little red nematode likes and an encapsulated fly that it seems they were using as a food source)

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/fighorfly/detail?.dir=f2d7&.dnm=dd9c.jpg&.src=ph

I agree smaller, waay smaller, basic building blocks of life stuff, strong relationship with hydrogen, oxogen, sulfur, FE(III).... an organism I have sometimes called Hiderogen. So yes, I agree, most all that I identify as related are symptoms only but the common denominator seems achieveable.. hopefully anyway.

smile

My regards,

Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  in  Vancouver  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  11:36 AM
Lymebusters has, in the 8 months I have used their site, NEVER approached me, or any other poster there that I know of, for the purpose of financial gain... they sell products??? Good to know, thank you.

Also, the postboard/forums have a 'show no advertizing' option button for any to use. They have been a saving grace for myself and, almost daily, for those who find their way there on their own but arrive so distraught that suicide prevention/intervention is often required... but sometimes it does not work.

The posts are, even after 8 months, often a very difficult read. People reaching out for help for themselves or, most often, in concern for their loved ones, have frequently been forcibly institutionalized and had their children taken away being deemed 'unfit' as a parent. I can imagine no greater trauma for a perfectly sane person trying to do what is right. Many are still suffering from that injustice.

Sad that.

Very sad.

- Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  in  Vancouver  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  01:00 PM
Also, the combination of protein diet will be of great help. Richard Kuhn’s KING DIET http://www.dstressdoc.com/skin-problems.htm for $39.95. The content is informative. Mr. Kuhn stated that larvae detected in sputum from patients with disseminated strongyloidiasis. Medical treatment recommended are: albendazole and ivermectin. In addition to these, http://www.medletter.com/freedocs/parasitic.pdf suggests thiabendazole at 50 mg/kg/d in 2 doses x 2d. The brand name in the US is Mintezol. Please refer to http://www.drugs.com/MTM/thiabendazole.html for this drug. It's efficient to cure cutaneous larvae migraines that cause itching and crawling feeling inside patients’ skin.

His King Diet, protein and green vegetables diet has been recommended by CDC as most comprehensive and informative sources of Morgellons so far.

Another one is Paul’s protocol for $40 Paul's Protocol: http://www.be-healthy-forever.com/

Paul was recovered from this disease now. His protocol can be an excellent reference. He also recommended Albenza and Mintezol to get rid of parasites under the skin. However, he went through protein and green vegetable diets same as Richard’s King Diet without taking Albenza and Mintezol because both Richard and Paul did not know those drugs before they had protein diet and completely cured.

Protein and green vegetable diet are taking white chicken and white fish plus green vegetables without any fruits and carbohydrates such as sugar, corn starch, bread and
noodles for three months. Paul suggested to have immune booster such as AHCC and immunoLine (?) while Richards’ suggested boost immune later after killing springtails and parasites. However, most of Morgellons patients become too weak and desperately in need of immune booster.

For details of the diet, you need to purchase their programs.
Posted by elai  in  Houston, TX  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  03:27 PM
I thank you elai,

Nuggets of gold in places where one would not neccessarily expect.

My respect and my gratitude, to you, for your spot on info and your understanding.

Best regards,

Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  03:54 PM
I thank you for your post Richard.

RE: Symptoms
"Itching and a rash at the site of where skin touched soil or sand is usually the first sign of infection. These symptoms occur when the larvae penetrate the skin. While a light infection may cause no symptoms, heavy infection can cause anemia, abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Heavy, chronic infections can cause stunted growth and mental development."

I have had this unchecked for eight years. Onset was identified during an episode of anyphylactic shock while in La Paz Mexico, no rashes manifested and I, at that time, was in one of the best shapes of my life. I have NEVER, in all the eight years, had abdominal pains, diarrhea, loss of apetite (I eat like a horse) weight loss or stunted growth, the opposite in fact.

Ergo, I don't 'catch on'.

But thank you anyway.

Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  05:02 PM
hey guys

beware of some postings in here. this paul guy... http://www.be-healthy-forever.com Well.. this guy is a nut and has caused a lot of problems for safe to use. He is not the owner of safe to use, but is in all the message boards so that people buy his stupid book. He is not a catholic or religious person. He is a scam artist!!! Beware.

He is in and out of lymebusters forums. we all know who he is.

Trev
Posted by trev  on  Mon Mar 27, 2006  at  07:00 PM
You are such a sick cookie. You should have more of a conscious and also have some respect for yourself Paul. You know who you are. Although I am not affiliated with safe2use, you and I both know that they are not out of business. I'm so sorry all you sick people have to put up with people like you barging into their forums.
Posted by Trev  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  09:50 AM
I don't understand Richards post. Why the animosity. I sell no products.

The level of maturity evident here; in name calling, threats, bickering, profiteering and misrepresentation, lets me now that I have come to the wrong place.

Or, can anyone, using collembola speak or hookworm-ese, explain this 'dismmissed fibres' actions when plucked out of a patients arm and floated in 93% alcohol?

http://members.lycos.co.uk/fromuk/

I thought not.

Please excuse, time to travel to places where It is better spent.

Regards,

Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  05:25 PM
Ah, I see. Post removed.

Understand.

- Bryan.
Posted by Bryan  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  05:28 PM
Bryan,
I'm not dismissing the fibers, I know they are a factor. But I think the scientists should be the ones to figure out how the collembola produce them.
I don't understand how people can so easily dismiss collembola as being the cause of this horrible affliction, I mean, it's not a theory but rather scientific findings:
http://www.headlice.org/report/research/index.html

"Abstract - Twenty individuals diagnosed with delusory parasitosis participated in a single site clinical study under the auspices of the National Pediculosis Association (NPA) and the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The objective of this study was to determine if there were any common factors in skin scrapings collected from this population. These individuals, whose symptoms were originally attributed to lice or scabies, were part of a larger group reporting symptoms of stinging/biting and/or crawling to the NPA. Multiple skin scrapings from each person were microscopically examined. Any and all fields of view that appeared incongruous to normal human skin were digitally photographed. When the photographic images were initially evaluated, no common factor was identified. However, more extensive scrutiny using imaging software revealed evidence of Collembola in 18 of the 20 participants."
Posted by cerulean  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  06:08 PM
OR these:

July 1955
The springtail Sira, a pesky human parasite, confirmed for the first Swedish Medical Journal 52 (29) pages 822+26
time in Sweden.
By entomologist Felix Bryk, Solna[Vay1]
"Until now, collembolans or “springtails” have played a miniscule role as
parasitic insects on the human body from a entomological/medical standpoint.
Rarely, if ever, are they mentioned in the scientific literature. However, the
appearance of a previously unknown collembolan as an occasional parasite that for
years caused depression in a patient and continues to do so - so far a unique case -
has now rightly gotten the attention of scientists."

Sira buski (Lubbock, 1870), by Freche and Beille 1896
"Freche and Beille in the minutes of a meeting of the Academy of Sciences in Paris (1896, page 70). A well-groomed man in his seventies returning in August of 1891 from a journey to the island of d'Oloron sensed numerous parasites in his hair, after two weeks or so, which he assumed to be fleas. Treatment with a mercurial preparation proved to be beneficial. As winter came around, he had gotten rid of the parasites and believed this to be the end of it, but in the spring of 1892, they re-emerged and remained until November....This continued for several years, i.e., 1894, 1895 and 1896, regardless of the disinfection of the patient's body and all of his household goods. 'The parasites seem to become increasingly abundant.'...."
Posted by cerulean  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  06:10 PM
or these:

Frye, F. L. 1997. In search for the haphazardly elusive: a follow-up report on an investigation into
the possible role of Collembolans in human dermatitis. Veterinary Invertebrate Society Newsletter
13: 12.

Scott, H. G., J. S. Wiseman and C. J. Stojanovich. 1962. Collembola infesting man. Annals of the
Entomological Society of America 55(4): 428–430

Casterline, D.G (1954 in press) cited from Hurd, P.D. (1954:814) Alaska: " ... and about 50 springtails (Collembola, Isotoma olivacea Tullberg. The medical aspects, as well as the specific identification of the insects involved, are to be reported by Donald G. Casterline, M.D. (Calif. Mo. Medicine, in press)." Cited from Altschuler, D.Z. & Casterline, D.G. (1997 in 1999:in litt.) Alaska: "While obtaining all of these papers I had the pleasure of speaking directly with the reporting physician Casterline -- who while retired remembered the event quite well. There was little beyond his excellent idea to x-ray the area of the sinuses where the discomfort was apparent and where on x-ray there was distinct shading. He then aspirated the area and left Hurd to do his own thing in the lab where he identified what you read in the report. No discussion to my knowledge or reported by Casterline of questions about immunity."
Posted by cerulean  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  06:11 PM
and.......

Hurd, P.D. (1954:814) Alaska: "During the past two summers I have served as research entomologist at the Arctic Research Laboratory, Point Barrow, Alaska." "Apparently because of the use of the aspirator, a most unique case of "myiasis" (or infestation) occured." "Approximately 2 mo. after the completion of the past summer's work at Point Barrow I became ill. During the week following the onset of illness four major groups of insects (Coleoptera, Collembola, Diptera, Hymenoptera) were passed alive from the left antrum of the sinus. These insects included ... and about 50 springtails (Collembola, Isotoma olivacea Tullberg. The medical aspects, as well as the specific identification of the insects involved, are to be reported by Donald G. Casterline, M.D. (Calif. Mo. Medicine, in press)." "It is believed that these protracted periods of dailly aspiration during the summer contributed to a case of "myiasis" that is without parallel in its origin and nature. Insofar as I have been able to ascertain none of the insects reported herein have been previously shown to cause "myiasis" in man." "Apparently the insects gained access to the sinus as eggs which passed trough the fine mesh brass screen.
Admittedly, it is almost unbelievable that the insects should have undergone several stages in their metamorphosis within the sinuses, but since the screen was so fine as to preclude the possibility of the aspiration of adult insects, it must be concluded that such was the case."
Cited from Hopkin, S.P. (1997:3):
"Hurd (1954) accidently infected his nasal sinuses with eggs
of a species of Isotoma during fieldwork and passed about 50
live springtails from his nose some two months later. Pooters
beware!"
Posted by cerulean  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  06:12 PM
Scott, H.G., Wiseman, J.S. & Stojanovich, C.J. (1962:430) Texas: "Springtail insects (Orchesella albosa Guthrie, 1903, forma ainslieri Folsom, 1924) were found infesting the heads and pubic areas of a family in Buffalo, Leon County, Texas, in June 1961. No dermatitis was reported due to this infestation, and the source of the insects was not determined. Based upon known habits of this species, some moldy household item (perhaps bedding) was probably involved. Orchesella albosa has never before been reported infesting man or houses. Its chewing mouthparts are probably not capable of biting man."

Amin, O.M. (1996:64) ?: "The closest published references to the presented case1, 2 reported springtails (Insecta: Collembola) causing pruritic dermatitis in humans; collembolans are generally regarded as saprophagous and phytophagous insects. 1. Hunter GW, Frye WW, Schwartzwelder JC, 1960. A Manual of Tropical Medicine. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders. 2. Scott HG, Wiseman JS, Stojanovich CJ. 1962. Collembola infesting man. Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am: 528-530."
Posted by cerulean  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  06:13 PM
Amin, O.M. (2001) Arizona: "Scalp lesions also occur in patients with neurological symptoms and are usually associated with arthropod infestation. JH (a tall, healthy, well-nourished, middle aged white American female from Arizona) had a number of such lesions [(Fig. 4)] from which springtails (Collembola: Insecta: Arthropoda) [(Fig. 5)] were collected by myself in December, 1995. There is only two other published reports of springtails from humans (Hunter et al., 1960; Scott et al., 1962)."

Hunter, G.W., Frye, W.W. & Schwartzwelder, J.C. (1960) cited from Scott, H.G., Wiseman, J.S. & Stojanovich, C.J. (1962:430) Nearctic: "Entomobrya nivalis (cosmopolitan) and Entomobrya tenuicauda (Australasian) have been reported as causing a pruritic dermatitis in man."

Mackie, T.T., Hunter, G.W. & Brooke Worth, C. (1945:541-542) Australia: "The Collembola are primarily phytophagous and are not usually thought of as medically important insects. Two Australian species, however, Entomobrya multifasciata Tullb. and E. tenuicauda Schött have recently been recorded as attacking man, the patients complaining of a sharp, biting sensation followed by irritation and papules similar to mosquito bites, with pruritus." Cited from Scott, H.G., Wiseman, J.S. & Stojanovich, C.J. (1962:430): "Entomobrya nivalis (cosmopolitan) and Entomobrya tenuicauda (Australasian) have been reported as causing a pruritic dermatitis in man." Cited from Ebeling, W. (1975): "They [Collembola] have never been incriminated in the transmission of any human disease, but Entomobrya nivalis L., a cosmopolitan species, has been reported to cause an itching type of dermatitis in man, ..."
Posted by cerulean  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  06:14 PM
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