Oral manifestations of Morgellons disease: current understanding of a psychiatric condition – a case series

Abstract

Morgellons disease is a rare controversial illness in individuals which is characterized by having a fixed, false belief (delusion) in which they are infested by non-living organisms, despite medical evidence which proves the contrary. The symptoms can appear solely in the oral cavity, a condition that had not previously been described in the dental literature. The underlying mechanisms behind these findings remain unclear; moreover, established diagnostic criteria or effective treatments were unsuccessful. This case report highlights the sensations of feeling hair and threads between the teeth of patients with Morgellons disease, as well as an unusual perception of the tongue and saliva that was self-reported. Conventional medical treatments have not been effective in alleviating those oral symptoms. Taking into account the scarcity of cases in the dental literature, the article underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches, in order to enhance diagnosis and treatment by integrating oral and mental health care.