I HAD Keratosis pilaris from age 1 to age 34. I HAD it from head to toe. Others in my family, including my mom have it. A year ago a naturopath told me she thought it was caused by the demodex parasite. I began using a soap containing Sea Buckthorn oil in it, and it all went away in about 4 months. At first it flared up really bad. I was told this would happen and to keep treating it with the soap. I guess its a reaction by the parasite, which makes sense. I never realized how much my skin was affected by this parasite. I thought I had adult acne, nasty oily skin, soars on my scalp for unknown reasons, and Keratosis pilaris. These parasites were eating me up. All of it is gone! I encourage anyone who is tired of kp to look into treating themselves for demodex parasite. From what I understand, we all have this parasite. But for some reason it overtakes some of us. Perhaps that is where genetic disposition and/or food sensitivities come into the picture. It may also be why oil pulling helps (by helping to fight off the parasite). The good news is there is solid research out there about how to eliminate this parasite. Im finally going to enjoy wearing a tank top in the summer! My mom is doing treatments now with the same success I had - and we are sharing with afflicted relatives.

What kind of soap did you use? Is there a brand name or store you got it at?

What was your routine with the soap? Did you use the oil as well? Do you still need to use the soap to keep your KP away? If so, how often. Where did you get the soap? Thanks for your help!

Is the soap the only treatment you did?

Thank you so much for sharing your success with us. You mentioned many things about this parasite and stuff. What did you do, just use the soap? Are there other things necessary to cleanse your system of the parasite? Did you have full success just using the soap because the soap just treats the exterior symptoms. If not, can you tell us step by step what you needed to do?

Thank you so much again!!! And I'm really happy you have finally become free from this physical and emotional torture. Enjoy the freedom of looking great and normal.....you deserve it!!!!

Daze

First I tried oil pulling with oranic sunflower oil ($5 a bottle)- and saw a slight improvement after about a month. Although my skin stayed slightly improved it didnt continue to improve after another month passed by. But it did make my teeth white, and kept them white. So I continued to pull oil and I added using organic coconut oil ($8 a jar) all over my body after a shower, and this too showed some additional improvement, but was not the result I wanted- which was for it to be gone! There were less of the pimple looking specs, but still red dots from head to toe. That is when I came upon information about the parasite. I tried a basic "sea buckthorn oil" soap from a local herbal store ($5 a bar). I had a reaction after about 2 weeks where the pimple specs and red dots just flared up, and I got really bad acne. I was expecting this if it "worked", because information indicates after the soap kills the parasite, the parasite decays inside your pores and the decaying matter can cause irritations and acne. This lasted about two weeks, then suddenly got much better and along with all of my skin. The sores on my head were gone, acne gone, pimple specs gone, but red dots still there!! So as much as I hate to use commercial products- or expensive products- I went ahead and ordered the Face Doctor line of products - including the soap, shampoo, and lotion. I used all three 1x in the morning, and then the cream again at night before bed, while continuing to pull oil first thing in the morning. The combo worked. Again I had another flare up all over a few weeks into it- especially on my scalp and face - made me feel like they were centralized there. By two months I had confidence it was going to clear up, although it was four, before I had the skin I always dreamed of having. I continue to use the face doctor products because I liked them, and I dont want my kp to ever return. I've noticed I can breath better, my immune system is stronger, and my metabolism is up. I have to say its real nice not being a host anymore. Its also really gross to think I was infested with this thing. If these products didnt work for me, my next step was to go to straight to the oil. But it is real expensive, and I tend to try the cheapest things first. My plan is to stick with the routine I have now because its seems to be working. Im just glad I am no longer subject to all of those ridiculous creams the clueless doctors presribed. Let me know if I can provide anymore specifics.

The other thing I should note is I noticed my kp always got better (not gone though) in the summer when I spent more time in the sun. The demodex mite is light sensitive and this would explain why my skin improved with sunlight. If you can add healthy sunlight to the regimine I think it would help. Also I have seen capsules and tinctures with sea buck thorn oil for internal use. I havent used these, but they might help as well.

Yes, my skin completely cleared 8 years ago when on holiday. Doesn't seem to work for everyone though.

ugly little critters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demodex

ha, used for radiation burns. I'm going to buy some of this oil. Another thing to try. I'm chucking this into my system for sure!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_buc..._and_cosmetics

thanks for info, and congrats on your cure!

Wow, I have noticed severe increases in my skin ever since I adopted a dog, who refuses to sleep anywhere but my bed. I wonder if this along with my food sensitivities is a possibility? Is there a test you can take?

Did have any itching? Mine seems to itch alot especially on my thighs. It would make sense if I had some parasite crawling around.

Ive never really had itching, but there have been many times when I would swear something was crawling on me, especially my legs. I think its just the sensation of mites moving around. Ive read that you can get a small microscope and see the parasites on your skin. Although I havent been brave enough to do that yet. I guess I dont need quite that much evidence.

I guess not. If I get the nerve I'll try looking. Thank you for responding.

(smileys courtesy of my five-yr-old)

So did you use the soap on your head? I get that you bought the shampoo later but I'm wondering about this earlier stage described above.

I'm intrigued by sea buckthorn oil. It's very high in fatty acids, esp omega 3 and palmitic and palmitoleic acid. It makes me wonder if it's just a better topical for KP than others, mites or not.
what is it about sea buckthorn oil that's supposed to kill the demodex mites? -bd

I did try the earlier soap on my head, and I had a reaction at first, that improved like the rest of my skin, as I continued to use it. But also like everywhere else, the improvement came to a stand still. I dont have an answer for how sea buckthorn is suppose to kill the mite. That is a good question. Everything I've read about it, just says it "kills" it, but doesnt say how. I know that the sun kills down the population because the mite is light sensitive and cant handle the light from the sun. Anytime I've ever gotten a tan, the rash has always gotten better or disappeared. But it comes back with winter. If you find out why sea buckthorn works be sure to post it please! Now Im curious.

Hey, I just found this thread and I think it sounds great. I've had kp on my thighs and arms for years and have never done anything about it, as the idea of using chemicals puts me off. But I've just gone out and bought neem oil soap and sea buckthorn body oil, so hopefully will see some improvement. Will keep you posted!n