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[Franky]

Some people say a mysterious skin disease has afflicted them, causing oozing, open sores and misery, and federal health officials will launch an investigation in 2007, NBC4's Mary Parks reported.

Nina Peralta told Parks that her skin problems started two years ago.
"I don't know what I have and I'm afraid," Peralta said.
Peralta's affliction has left her with dozens of unsightly scars that had once been open sores, much like a severe case of acne.

"Some are in dots and some are in clusters," she said.
Parks said the mysterious skin ailment gives Peralta the feeling of crawling bugs. One doctor told her the condition was "all in her head" and prescribed anti-depressants to help her sleep.

Parks said Peralta's dermatologist declined to be interviewed about her "seemingly bizarre condition."
"I wanted someone to tell me, I'm going to give you a cream and maybe your skin won't be the same anymore," Peralta said. "It has not stopped; it continues to scar my body."

Peralta is not alone, Parks said.

"Self-reported cases of what appears to be a skin disease have been documented in all 50 states!" Parks said. "And the majority of those are in California, Texas and Florida."
One of those claiming to have the problem launched a Web site and gave the affliction a name: Morgellons.
Morgies, as victims often call themselves now, trade information and photos via the Internet, Parks said.
"Like Peralta, most people say their open lesions have seeds, fibers or growing hairs," Parks reported.

Victims captured the attention of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who wrote to the Centers for Disease Control to ask what action was being taken.

The Centers for Disease Control is now launching research in California because of the inquiry.
Parks said local health departments knew of no such cases here.
"They don't know, and that's what scares me," Peralta said. "When doctors don't know, how am I supposed to feel?"
Parks said the federal probe will take place in 2007.