Where did the name “Morgellons” come from?
The name comes from a condition involving “black hairs” emerging from the skin of children that was documented in France in the 1600’s. It is unknown whether that description is related to the illness we are now describing. However, the similarities were such that the name seemed a unique label for an illness not described by any other medical label, and thus became a much-needed niche for patients otherwise falling outside the present medical paradigm. The name “Morgellons” was intended to be used as a temporary label.
