Finally, after years wondering what kind of skin disease that I have, I finally found the answer. Keratosis pilaris so what it calls.
I've gone to many doctor also dermatology, but none of them give me a satisfaction answer for my problem cause they always gave me a different answer for my disease. Some of them said that it was because I was wear a wrong kind of cloth/fabric, that it didn't soak the sweat well so it cause that kind of rash. They gave me some medicine, but it still not cure.
So I go to another doctor, en she said it was because of allergy, but it still it not cured yet.:confused:
I got tired of it, so I just leave it like that for years.:(

But recently, I want a change in my life, I wanna make myself better, I wanna make this skin disease go away, so I went to see a dermatology.
After my third visiting en my skin disease is still there, I dare to ask the dermatology about the disease.
She said that it call Atopic dermatitis, en it's inherited from my family who probaly has asthma.
I felt weird coz no one in my family has asthma.
En then she also said that it can't be cured at all.
I got very sad when I heard it, I mean having this for the rest of my life, :faint2:

So I search the internet about Atopic dermatitis, en when I saw the picture en the symptom, I thought that's not like mine at all.
Then I look at other picture that look exactly what I have, en it call Keratosis pilaris. Search more for the disease en I found this site.

I never knew that many people also experienced the disease that I have. But now I know that it's not just me.

I"m sad when I discovered that it can't be cure at all, so what am I t do?

14th September- I am going to call up the doctors tommorrow and FINALLY book a food and environmental allergy test. So sometime this week my first list will be complete and then I can produce a second list on my journey and work at completing that.

THE K-P CURSE

Around about when I was eight
I can’t recollect the precise date
My body went through a peculiar change
The pathogenesis of which is strange

One fine day there was a rash
Inconcealable by scarf or sash
Along arms and shoulders it spread
Little bumps – all raised and red!

The doctors said it was probably allergic
Would go away with an antihistaminic
Only time would prove them wrong
This atopy was really strong!

The little bumps – they persisted
All forms of treatment – they resisted
Ayurveda, homeo- or allopathy
And even the gram-flour home remedy

Soon my parents and I gave up
Years passed, I grew up
People queried,” Ew! What are those?”
Within me, resentment arose

“Why me? Dear God!” I felt
“Why a disease that can’t be dealt?
Why not some fancy form of allergy
Like asthma? At least I’d get sympathy!”

When I joined medical college
I gained some useful knowledge
I found the name of my malady
“Keratosis Pilaris” – said dermatology

I read a lot about my disease
Nothing could put my mind at ease
Steroids, salicylic acid, emollients
No guarantee of success with any treatment!


With an attitude of “Never say die!”
All possible measures did I try
Bottles of cream and money – all in vain
The spots would go, only to come back again!

Defeated I went to my cosmetologist
“There’s no cure.” - Was the gist
She gave me hydroquinone to use
Like treating cancer with apple juice!

A realization grew within
I can never have flawless skin!
Forever must I live with this curse
And vent myself through verse!

I wish that there was something that would give fast results to KP. I love to scrub dirty floors to see them get clean, I just love seeing progress. But with KP it takes time. Maybe KP is here to teach me patience. My husband keeps reminding me it takes time. So i am continuing trying to help my little daughter. And her skin is not red and her bumpies are not as noticible but they are there. I can feel them them and I can see them.

Tonight i did the oatmeal bath. With the little cloth bags of oatmeal i made for her. They are fun and my other daughter loves it too. An oatmeal bath is just more fun then a normal bath. I am continually lotioning.

I do have to say after 5 days the appearance seems better. but she still is just covered in the little hard bumpies. And if KP is supposed to be better in the summer, geez what will it be like in the winter. Her legs and one arm already have so many, it is not just a few little ones here or there, it is her both of her legs, thigh and calf, and her one arm. Why doesn't she have it on the other arm?

I am going to continue with the routine.

I lotioned her this morning and this afternoon i will giver her a milk bath only this evening. Followed by the lotion and then more lotion before bed.

I will review the results on day 4.

Today Kait's bumpies are ofcourse still present. But they do look a little different. Today they are not as enlarged. They look like finer shiny bumps instead of the more ance looking whiteheads. She just has so many. Last night when her daddy got home he had said she was very soft (because of the milk bath).

This morning I took a cotton pad with witch hazel and wiped all of her bumpies to remove excess dirt. Then I had applied the Hemp lotion.

This evening i made another oatmeal and milk bath and used the oatmeal sack as the washcloth to very gently clean her skin.

I am just using non-fat powdered milk from the store and regular oats that i had made into little bean bag type bags.

after the bath a gentle pat dry and some of the Lotion again.

I have my husband look at her arms and legs after the lotion soaked in to tell me if he saw a difference yet.

He said that they didn;t look like white head zits anymore and they weren't as inflamed.

She still has the same number of bumpies covering her arms and legs. So the quantity is the same but the quality seems to be improving.

Who knows, I will stick with the routine for a little while and see if there is a reduction in the amount of bumpies. If this doesn't preform well this month next month i may try something new, perhaps vitamin E lotion? Well i will give it a bit longer before making any changes.

My 21 month old daughter has had "the bumpies" since she was born. I first saw them in a little patch on the front of her right calf. As she got older the patch grew up her right leg, down her left leg, and onto her right arm. Although she really could care less about bumpy rough skin, that doesn't itch. I still had consulted the doctor. He had first said it was dry skin and to moisturize. After many moisturizing lotions later, I went for another check up and he said it is KP and she will grow out of it, and to moisturize right after the bath and lotion her often. Which i did and it still spread and more bumpies have grown. He then prescribed Elidell (i don't know the correct spelling) I brought it home and it said not to use under the age of 2 and it was never tested or studied to see how it would react to pregnant women or women who one day want to become pregnant. Well I am pregnant and maybe one day my daughter wants to be. So that is out of the question!!

Which brings me to today. The past few days my mother and my husband have been urging me to take her to a dermatologist. Which i know they will say she has KP! So I have decided to dedicate 1 month of trying to reduce her KP.

My method which i started today consists of frequent Milk and Oatmeal bath. 2/3 cup dry milk in the tub with a satchel of oatmeal as a washcloth scrubber.

I will also use witch hazel to help remove excess dirt when needed.

Followed by using a lotion I found at walmart by Malibu tan, called Hemp Lotion for extra dry skin. I will apply directly after a bath and perhaps 2 to 3 more times a day.

Today was the first trial, she does have very soft skin (the bumpies are still rougher then her non-bumpie areas). But she is soft.

alright alright! I get it now!

Gut. 2006 Jul;55(7):954-60. Epub 2006 Jan 19.
Gastrointestinal Candida colonisation promotes sensitisation against food antigens by affecting the mucosal barrier in mice.

Yamaguchi N, Sugita R, Miki A, Takemura N, Kawabata J, Watanabe J, Sonoyama K.
Laboratory of Food Biochemistry, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita-9, Nishi-9, Kita-ku, Sapporo-shi, 060-8589, Japan.
BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Controversy still exists as to whether gastrointestinal colonisation by Candida albicans contributes to aggravation of atopic dermatitis. We hypothesised that Candida colonisation promotes food allergy, which is known to contribute to a pathogenic response in atopic dermatitis. We tested this using a recently established murine Candida colonisation model. METHODS: Candida colonisation in the gastrointestinal tract was established by intragastric inoculation with C albicans in mice fed a synthetic diet. To investigate sensitisation against food antigen, mice were intragastrically administered with ovalbumin every other day for nine weeks, and antiovalbumin antibody titres were measured weekly. To examine gastrointestinal permeation of food antigen, plasma concentrations of ovalbumin were measured following intragastric administration of ovalbumin. RESULTS: Ovalbumin specific IgG and IgE titres were higher in BALB/c mice with Candida colonisation than in normal mice. Gastrointestinal permeation of ovalbumin was enhanced by colonisation in BALB/c mice. Histological examination showed that colonisation promoted infiltration and degranulation of mast cells. Candida colonisation did not enhance ovalbumin permeation in mast cell deficient W/Wv mice but did in congenic littermate control +/+ mice. Reconstitution of mast cells in W/Wv mice by transplantation of bone marrow derived mast cells restored the ability to increase ovalbumin permeation in response to Candida colonisation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that gastrointestinal Candida colonisation promotes sensitisation against food antigens, at least partly due to mast cell mediated hyperpermeability in the gastrointestinal mucosa of mice.



Gastrointestinal Candida colonisation promotes sen...[Gut. 2006] - PubMed Result

WTH?!?!?!?
Does this mean what I think it means? That gut flora imbalance may throw our hunger/satiety response out of balance too?
wow. i really like france's scientists.


"Nutrition. 2008 Apr;24(4):348-59. Epub 2008 Feb 8. Autoantibodies against appetite-regulating peptide hormones and neuropeptides: putative modulation by gut microflora.

Fetissov SO, Hamze Sinno M, Coëffier M, Bole-Feysot C, Ducrotté P, Hökfelt T, Déchelotte P.
Digestive System and Nutrition Laboratory (ADEN EA3234), Institute of Biomedical Research, Rouen University and Hospital, IFRMP23, Rouen, France. Serguei.Fetissov@univ-rouen.fr
OBJECTIVE: Peptide hormones synthesized in gastrointestinal and adipose tissues in addition to neuropeptides regulate appetite and body weight. Previously, autoantibodies directed against melanocortin peptides were found in patients with eating disorders; however, it remains unknown whether autoantibodies directed against other appetite-regulating peptides are present in human sera and whether their levels are influenced by gut-related antigens. METHODS: Healthy women were studied for the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA autoantibodies directed against 14 key appetite-regulating peptides. The concept of molecular mimicry was applied to search in silico whether bacteria, viruses, or fungi contain proteins with amino acid sequences identical to appetite-regulating peptides. In addition, autoantibodies serum levels were studied in germ-free and specific pathogen-free rats. RESULTS: We found these IgG and IgA autoantibodies directed against leptin, ghrelin, peptide YY, neuropeptide Y, and other appetite-regulating peptides are present in human sera at levels of 100-900 ng/mL. Numerous cases of sequence homology with these peptides were identified among commensal and pathogenic micro-organisms including Lactobacilli, bacteroides, Helicobacter pylori, Escherichia coli, and Candida species. Decreased levels of IgA autoantibodies directed against several appetite-regulating peptides and increased levels of antighrelin IgG were found in germ-free rats compared with specific pathogen-free rats. CONCLUSION: Healthy humans and rats display autoantibodies directed against appetite-regulating peptide hormones and neuropeptides, suggesting that these autoantibodies may have physiologic implications in hunger and satiety pathways. Gut-related antigens including the intestinal microflora may influence production of theses autoantibodies, suggesting a new link between the gut and appetite control."

Look at the date on this research, it's brand new!

"Candida albicans produces different allergenic components that can induce allergic reactions and may be pathogenetically important in patients with AE and AS."

Mycoses. 2008 Aug 13.
Evaluation of Candida albicans allergens reactive with specific IgE in asthma and atopic eczema patients.

Khosravi AR, Bandghorai AN, Moazzeni M, Shokri H, Mansouri P, Mahmoudi M.
Mycology Research Center, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Candida albicans (C. albicans) produces important allergenic components which can induce allergic reactions in sensitised patients. The purpose of this study was to extract the C. albicans antigens for evaluating the specific anti-Candida IgE in sera of atopic eczema (AE) and asthmatic patients (AS). 95 AE, 85 AS, and 70 non-atopic cases were selected with sequential trials. Candida albicans antigens were prepared and then skin ***** test (SPT), ELISA and IgE-immunoblotting tests were performed for all patients. Positive SPT reactions were obtained on 52.6% of AE and 54.1% of AS patients and 4.3% of healthy controls (P < 0.05). Using ELISA, specific anti-C. albicans IgE antibody was detected in 32.6% and 41.2% of patients with AE and AS, respectively. No specific IgE antibody was detected in healthy controls (P < 0.05). In SDS-PAGE, protein bands with molecular weights between 13 and 135 kDa were detected, and some of them reacted with specific IgE in immunoblotting. In AE patients, the most important allergenic components were 25, 34, and 57 kDa protein bands, whereas in AS, 22, 25, and 34 kDa protein bands were observed as major allergens. Candida albicans produces different allergenic components that can induce allergic reactions and may be pathogenetically important in patients with AE and AS.



Evaluation of Candida albicans allergens reactive ...[Mycoses. 2008] - PubMed Result

As you may know, I'm not onboard the anti-candida program per se but I do want to understand what is up with it.

"Since, as shown here in vitro, production of neutrophil chemotaxins by C. albicans is independent of glucose-feeding, a possible role of Candida-chemotaxins in the pathophysiology of cutaneous candidosis can no longer be excluded."

I believe this translates into the idea that Candida biproducts of its growth include things (chemotaxins) that are active active against neutrophils (especially an abundant type of granular white blood cell that is highly destructive of microorganisms)! This research would indicate that candida can do this regardless of sugar (glucose) being there or not in the cutaneous (skin?) layers. food for thought...


Acta Derm Venereol. 1992;72(1):1-3.Links
Candida albicans grown in glucose-free media contains serum-independent chemotactic activity.

Brasch J, Schröder JM, Christophers E.
Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, Germany.
Infection of skin with Candida albicans is usually followed by infiltration of neutrophil granulocytes (PMN). So far, chemotaxins for PMN have been isolated from C. albicans cultures grown in the presence of glucose. However, since glucose is not present in skin in vivo, a contribution of such factors to Candida-triggered cutaneous inflammation would appear unlikely. In order to clarify this question, chemotactic activity was measured in extracts from three different strains of C. albicans which were grown in five different peptone media free of carbohydrates and serum. In addition, four culture systems were supplemented with lipids normally present in human stratum corneum, including a triglyceride, cholesterol, and sphingomyelin. In all sugar-free grown cultures, serum-independent chemotactic activity was detected by use of the Boyden chamber technique. Since, as shown here in vitro, production of neutrophil chemotaxins by C. albicans is independent of glucose-feeding, a possible role of Candida-chemotaxins in the pathophysiology of cutaneous candidosis can no longer be excluded.

FYI for anyone doing the anti-candida diet - certain probiotic formulas contain Saccharomyces boulardii. Read the labels to see if yours does. I think that garden of life ULTRA has it. there are even more references to Saccharomyces boulardii in pubmed if you're curious.

Saccharomyces boulardii decreases inflammation and...[Med Mycol. 2007] - PubMed Result

1: Med Mycol. 2007 Dec;45(8):691-700.
Saccharomyces boulardii decreases inflammation and intestinal colonization by Candida albicans in a mouse model of chemically-induced colitis.

Jawhara S, Poulain D.
Inserm U 799, Physiopathologie des Candidoses, Faculté de Médecine, CHRU Lille, France.
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii on inflammation and intestinal colonization by Candida albicans in a BALB/c mouse model of colitis that had been induced by dextran-sulfate-sodium (DSS). Colonization with C. albicans was established by oral gavage with a 200 microL suspension of 10(7) yeast cells. A 1.5% solution of DSS was administered in drinking water 1 h after C. albicans oral challenge, while 10(7) cells of S. boulardii was inoculated daily by oral gavage for 1 week. Faeces were collected daily for 2 weeks. Seven groups of mice consisting of those that were administered either C. albicans or S. boulardii or both were sacrificed after 14 days and samples of the colon were taken for histological scoring and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis of inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptors (TLRs). Compared to control animals that did not receive DSS, the number of C. albicans colonies recovered from faeces was significantly greater in mice receiving DSS. In contrast, the colony forming units (CFUs) of C. albicans were greatly reduced in mice receiving S. boulardii. The administration of this yeast decreased the severity of DSS-induced clinical scores and histological inflammation. At the mRNA expression level, an increase in TLR2 and TLR4 resulting from the presence of S. boulardii was associated with a reduction in the inflammatory cytokines TNFalpha and INFgamma. In mice receiving DSS and C. albicans, TLR4 was over-expressed by stimulation with both yeasts, but TLR2 and TNFalpha, which were increased by the administration of C. albicans alone, were decreased in the presence of S. boulardii. These results indicate that S. boulardii decreased inflammation and C. albicans colonization in this BALB/c mouse model of colitis.

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something very simple, i mix fish oil + olive oil and use after bath a little oily haha but has been the very best thing i have ever had.. give it a try . tig

7th August

5 days ago I done something which I maybe shouldn't have done to my arms; I exfoliated them with a pumice stone in the shower! My arms are really smooth now but darn that night they felt like the were burning, like they were literally on fire. I couldn't get to sleep ALL night. They're really dry now too, really really dry but i'm hoping that if I keep putting the coconut oil on them that they will eventually get the moisture back. Oh well, it was an experience anyway haha and I must admit that my arms are quite smooth.

I just posted to say that I haven't forgotten about my KP journey, I've just hit a small milestone called lack of funds. If I get any money I usually spend it socially or on other cosemetics or bits or bobs that I need but I WILL get round to booking in for the vega test and the allergy test. Unfortunately as I've said before it will probably be in September or even possibly October now. I've stopped obsessing about my KP this week actually, I'm really pleased that I haven't been hung up on waiting for the vega test. I start a new sixth form in September so I guess I'm just completely focused on that right now. Which is a relief! I actually have £30 laying on my top which I could put towards the tests but i'm spending it on something else :/ It's not that I don't want the tests now it's just that I have other things that i've wanted/needed for a long time that's on my list of priorites but my journey will continue soon enough when my mind is settled.I must say coconut oil is FANTASTIC it makes my skin so soft, especially on my face! I really recommend it. Anyway I'm off now, but i'll be back soon enough to record the progress of my journey. My next step is to get a food and environmental allergy test. Darn, I really must call up and enquire about that.