Hmmm...I read the list of possible symptoms and I don't have any of them...I only have red dots because of KP, but they don't even itch at all... I guess I don't have the mites...

i actually called the company when i saw this product offered in a catalog. they didn't know what kp was but said they'd get back to me. when they did call back, they said it probably wouldn't be effective.

50% of the population has keratosis pilaris and from what my dermatologist says...it is genetic. Mine was always pretty minor when I lived in Chicago. It would be a bit worse in the winter, but otherwise wasn't that bad. I have since moved to CA and there is a lot less humidity out here and it has gotten worse. I am not sure that it is a parasite? Why is it better in the summer versus the winter? Why is it better in humid climates versus dry? And why do I only have it on my upper arms and some people have it all over their body? If it is a parasite...wouldn't it spread everywhere for everyone?

My guess is that KP can have different causes. The skin is a huge cleansing organ. Different toxins, such as what we eat and drink or breathe, or toxins given off by parasites, or even other factors we don't yet know about -- each can cause KP, a skin disorder that is really our skin trying to get rid of toxins. This theory, that KP can have different causes, explains why it can also have different cures or remedies for different individuals. So the demodex parasite may cause KP for certain people, while something else is causing it for others. Until medical science decides to seriously study KP, your questions may remain unanswered, though some posters here have good guesses.

The notion that Keratosis Pilaris is a single cause ailment just "because", obviously makes little sense, yes. It is simply a generic reaction to a metabolic interference of some form. Because it doesn't appear to be unique to one cause.

Demodex, to me, makes the most sense as one of the leading causes of Keratosis Pilaris. It fits extremely well. Many don't realize how many things are caused by parasites. If the majority have Demodex parasites, it is quite possible that some have a genetic disposition wherefor they react in this way.

hi everyone
loads of demodex threads now! just wanted to say made lots of progress more details posted on the 34years later thread

re: genetics - Wouldn't it be possible that some of us, depending what other genetic factors we carry besides the tendency to KP, might have an allergic reaction to the mites or their debris (they don't poop but they die and decompose in our follicles)? I find the sea buckthorn to be particularly helpful to my skin but I think it simply supports my skin well because I had the same breakout reaction when I started oil pulling and EFAs as the breakout reaction some people get when they start sea buckthorn which also contains EFAs. I have fairly sensitive skin so perhaps that also translates into a sensitivity to the mites that causes my skin to inflame a bit? Wikipedia states: "Infestation with Demodex mites is common and usually does not cause any symptoms;" and also "Older people are much more likely to carry the mites; estimates range as high as an 96-98% infestation rate in aged people. The lower rate of children may be due to the fact that children produce much less sebum. It is quite easy to look for one's own demodex mites, by carefully removing an eyelash or eyebrow hair and placing it under a microscope. The mites are transferred between hosts through contact of hair, eyebrows and of the sebaceous glands on the nose. Different species of animals host different species of demodex; and demodex is not contagious between different species.
In the vast majority of cases, the mites go unobserved, without any adverse symptoms, but in certain cases (usually related to a suppressed immune system, caused by stress or illness) mite populations can dramatically increase, resulting in a condition known as demodicosis, characterised by itching, inflammation and other skin disorders."
(check their citations if you are concerned about validity...)
It seems entirely possible to me that for some of us, too many mites in our follicles might inflame our skin but what we need in order to help our skin deal with it may vary. The glycolic and salicylic acids would help us clear out our pores and leave less food (dead skin and sebum) for mites. EFAs probably help the keep a balance too.
ok, no more babbling - BD

Bunnyday,

I find it interesting that a "supressed immune system" can aid the growth of demodex parasites.

Not only stress or illness can cause a suppressed immune system. Poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of good bacteria in the digestive tract, and taking antibiotics can diminish the effectiveness of the immune system.

Taking probiotics daily, either as a supplement, or in the form of live food, like yogurt, kefir, unpasturized yogurt or uncooked sauerkraut or kimchi help keep our immune systems functioning at their optimum.

To keep demodex, candida, and a host of other ills under control require that we make the effort to maintain our immune system.

kebod