(Image Source: SayPeople)

BY MEREDITH BALDWIN

ANCHOR ANA COMPAIN-ROMERO

Years ago, it was labeled a mystery illness. Now, doctors from the Centers for Disease Control are calling it Morgellons Disease-- but there’s doubt within the medical community as to whether it’s a real illness. A reporter for KHOU in Houston sat down with one woman several years ago, when she first noticed her symptoms.

“The sores come up and then these fuzzy things come out. It’s almost like spores or something like that.”

Hundreds of people across the nation say they experienced the same symptoms: sores oozing, and fibers coming out their skin. The CDC was prompted to investigate. FOX News medical contributor Dr. Manny Alvarez doesn’t think Morgellons exists outside of the person’s head.

“The mind is a powerful thing, and in some cases, it can make us sick—not just mentally, but physically.  If a patient believes they have a certain affliction, that belief could cause stress, lack of sleep, anxiety and even depression. It could also manifest itself as real, physical symptoms.”

Dermatologist Vincent DeLeo agrees with that assessment-- here’s what he tells ABC.

“The skin symptoms fit perfectly with the same group of individuals symptoms with delusions.”

Other doctors disagree, arguing the illness is real. Inside Edition spoke with Dr. Rhonda Casey...she says the lesions and scars she sees on patients aren’t something they’re making up, or have done to themselves.

“Dr. Rhonda Casey says she believes Morgellons is a genuine illness and takes precautions when examining Morgellons’ patients... She has taken numerous fiber samples and says they’re unlike anything she’s ever seen.”

The medical mystery may be named, but patients don’t like the empty diagnosis. The San Francisco Chronicle spoke with one woman who says...

 “The symptoms can be so maddening, [there’s] no doubt that many Morgellons patients come across as ‘crazy’ to doctors - and it's not surprising that [we’re] labeled as delusional.”

Doctors say there is no cure for Morgellons-- and there’s still much to learn about the disease.