Accordude I wouldn't be too quick to assume the mites aren't related. At first it sounded far-fetched but I took a look at the site and it changed my mind. The site is www.demodexsolutions.com. In the forums on this site there was one person who completely treated their "chicken skin" on the back of the arms with these creams. Would you think that rosacea (which is related to Kprf) could be treated by killing these mites. Well they can. The creams do not only kill the mites but they calm the skin and the zinc oxide in them exfoliates the skin. After treatment the person is left with soft smooth skin. Well I have ordered some and we'll see if your criticism is correct. I will post results if I see any improvement in my kp or kprf.

Definition: Demodex folliculorum is a mite that infests hair follicles. It is believed that this mite contributes to a skin condition called rosacea by provoking a small allergic reaction in the follicle, blocking the follicle, or allowing other microorganisms to infect the skin.

http://dermatology.about.com/library/bldefdemodex.htm

The mite Demodex spp., which belongs to Class Arachnida, Order Acarina, lives around hair follicles (Demodex folliculorum hominis) or in the secretory ducts of sebaceous (fat) glands connected to the hair follicles (Demodex brevis) of humans. The preferred sites are facial skin, forehead, cheeks, eyelashes and external ear channels. The size of demodices varies from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm. Adult parasites have four pairs of short legs. They can slowly move on the skin especially during the night. In humans, the infestation is known as 'demodicosis' and occurs world-wide. The incidence of demodicosis steadily increases with the individual's age. The infestation may be frequently free of symptoms. However, suppurative or glanulomatous reactions and inflammation in acute and chronic forms may occur due to demodicosis in humans.

http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/...0/demodex.html

Pathophysiology: D folliculorum (all stages) is found in small hair follicles and eyelash hair follicles. In all forms, immature and adult, it consumes epithelial cells, produces follicular distention and hyperplasia, and increases keratinization leading (in eyelashes) to cuffing, which consists of keratin and lipid moieties. Demodex brevis (all stages) is present in the eyelash sebaceous glands, small hair sebaceous glands, and lobules of the meibomian glands. Adults and immature forms consume the gland cells in all of these loci and, when infestations are heavy, can affect the formation of the superficial lipid layer of the tear film coacervate. Demodectic mites produce histologically observable tissue and inflammatory changes, epithelial hyperplasia, and follicular plugging.
http://www.emedicine.com/oph/byname/demodicosis.htm

For your education.

These little critters block the hair follicles live on the facial skin and in the sebaceous glands and cause acute inflammation especially in the evening. Personally for me that is enough of a link to the symptoms of my Kprf to give this a shot. Even if it isn't the underlying cause of this condition i'm sure that if we are infected then it certainly isn't helping things.

I have been using this chinese cream for the past few days and can honestly say i have seen a fairly remarkable improvement in the reduction in my flushing and general complexion. Obviously it is too early to say for definate weather this is a helpful product in the long run. I will continue to report any further breakthroughs/updates that i find.

Peace out

Sorry-I've heard about this demodex thing ages ago, when I was in primary school. Am now in my late 20's.

It is said to be found in majority of individuals, many of whom dont have KP. So, KP is definitely not caused by demodex. It might aggravate it but it's not the root of our problem.

I agree lene, I don't think Demodex causes kp, however I also agree that it may indeed aggravate it. I'm thinking they could be keeping the hair follicles inflamed, i mean something has to be causing these freakin follicles to stay red. I have been beating my head against the wall for years trying to figure out why these follicles stay inflamed even when the condition itself is controlled, man its frustrating!

I agree with the two comments above. Kp is a genetic disorder, it is not caused by the mites. However, I believe the mites are the cause of the inflammation and dryness because they affect the sebaceous glands in the face, especially the cheeks where most of the redness is found.

Mites are pretty old dermatology. New rosacea research has found them to be the cause of way under 1% of all cases. The cause of the imflammation in KPRF is the blocked hair follicle. Keratin builds up under the tissue causing an immune response(inflammation). It's basically constant irritation of the facial skin. Your face is so much redder than your body because it has far more blood vessels than any other part of your body. It also has way more hair follicles. Think 3000 per square inch. Combine the two and you get the inflamed face of KPRF.

well I am one of those who have a hint of redness in the cheeks, but nothing really major at all and it never bothered me. The redness on my arms have decreased over the years I guess as a result of getting older and treatment, but I just can't seem to get to the inflammation, its driving me nuts and my gut tells me mites aren't involved, but i'm at the end of my rope.

Well accordude this product has worked for many rosacea sufferers so its doing something. Read the large response by KPRF above and honestly tell me that doesnt sound promising.

These mites only affect facial skin. Then why does 100% of all KP start on the body? 100% is a pretty convincing number by any arguments.

KP starts on the backs of the arms. The backs of your arms have the least amount of sebum glands compared to the rest of your body. Then your legs and butt. Second least amount of sebum glands. Then chest and back. Third least amount of sebum glands. KP is rare on the face because it has far more sebum glands then the rest of your body. MORE SEBUM = LESS KP. The correlation is clear and has been medically proven.

It's time to face the facts about KP. If your don't believe me ask your dermatoligist. All the dermatoligist's I've asked, have told me it's a sebum gland problem. Not one derm has ever metioned mites. I wonder why?

Is it possible to increase the production of sebum?

Yes, with proper circulation...

Okay, and how do you increase the circulation?

This is not true. Sebum glands are mostly controlled by hormones.

It's popular belief that the cause of KP is an immune disorder of the effected hair follicles. Your body has an immune response to it's own sebum production. Then your body reacts by stopping sebum production in the follicles all together.

If it's a genetic immune disorder then it really can't be treated. Your immune system changes with time. This is why KP usually lessens with age.

Sorry, but research also shows that sebum production is affected by circulation and diet.

And don't believe the hype, KP gets worse for some people with age. I have had it since I was 9. I have had it for 20 years now, and and it's gets worse with each year that passes.

Circulation

This thread may help you.