20 replies to this topic

[Lillian McGee]

Here's a story followed by a (somewhat) serious scientific inquiry:

I was at work one night at a particular franchise of a very well known chain of sandwich shops. This particular franchise was located on the campus of a lesser well known university somewhat well known for its graduate-level research. A customer came in--an older gentleman--possibly a professor--certainly one of those researchy types. After ordering and as I was preparing his food he asked me if he may offer me some advice on how to cure my acne. (first offering his humble desire not to offend me of course)

I was offended, of course, but decided to humor him. Okay, weird sandwich guy, how can I cure my acne. He first recommended vitamin D supplements. Yawn, right? Then, (brace yourselves) he recommended that I contract hookworm.


Yes, the parasite. He went on a lengthy explanation including the hygiene hypothesis and how acne is an immune response and etc. All I could do was smile and nod.

So, my somewhat serious scientific inquiry is, does anyone here know of any actual science behind this? I've heard of parasites being used as therapy for things like Crohn's, IBS, asthma, but not acne. Was I simply accosted by a crazy person? (Epilogue: I don't work there anymore, thank God)

Edited by Lillian McGee, 08 April 2010 - 04:06 PM.

[rw000]

The hygiene hypothesis only applies to infants during the development of their immune system. So maybe contracting hookworm as a kid will help you later on in life, but contracting it as a teenager or an adult will not. Even if the hygiene hypothesis was correct, the effect on acne would most likely be minimal.


Also getting infected is just a bad idea in general. It'll be very uncomfortable, and if it progresses can cause a few other nasty side effects (anaemia for example).

[Lillian McGee]

I don't really know much about the hygiene hypothesis... do you know of any sources where I can learn more?

I'm not at all interested in actually trying this, of course. Just curious to see if there's any legitimate info out there about it.

[rw000]

I'm in public health, so I've had to study it. Wikipedia has a decent summary of it, and searching on google with throw you a few more explanations (some though are poor). There are also studies which support the hypothesis.

A simple summary of it:

Our clean lifestyle limits our interactions with micro-organisms while our immune system is developing (during childhood). Due to the lack of exposure to pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc) our immune system develops poorly and doesn't react well when it encounters dangerous pathogens later on. Hence, we become very sick and are unable to fight it off without lots of drugs.

A simpler summary:

Everything is easy for your immune system when you're a kid. It decides to go on permanent vacation, and when something invades your body it says "sorry buddy, I'm in Hawaii, it's your problem now".

[Riddled]

I am very suprised there is so little about this on the internet. I think people definitely need to look into this more.

I remember reading about treating hay fever and asthma with hookworm and thinking there maybe similarities between them and acne so why wouldn't hookworm be a possible "cure" for acne to.

There seems to be so much talk about allergies and sensitivities on these boards so why are more people considering the hookworm possibility.

I wonder what the rate of asthma and hay fever and allergies are with the indigenous peoples who show know signs of acne?

[wicky]

I know this thread is a year old but I had to respond. I just found out I have a hookworm parasite anc cannot believe someone thinks it will CURE acne. Im hoping mine is from this parasite. I just finished my last pill to rid myself of this disgusting parasite and am hoping it will cure my anemia, dry skin, stomach issues and acne. If anyone has thoughts or experience with this I would love a response. BTW, Im not sure how I contacted it but I did go to the Dominican Republic two yrs ago and its about the same time my skin went haywire.

[Reti]

It appears to work for arthritis and allergies if hookworms, longworms, or severe intestinal illnesses are suffered as a small child. It supposedly “calibrates” the immune system so it properly reacts but doesn’t overreact to potential threats. Longworms in the intestinal track over one's lifetime seems to produce a symbiotic relationship, much like bacterial intestinal flora that produce very highly bioavailability vitamin K for us. I don't know about hookworm. If you have acne, you probably have more than one of the following:

A bad strain of P.acnes living on your skin.

Oily skin.

A genetic predisposition to skin cells in your pores not sloughing properly.

A weak or malfunctioning immune system.

Some internal chemical deficiencies, which there seems to be no end to the various theories about what they might be.

You're not an indigenous person living in an uncivilized, unchanged culture.

[AcneSlayer]

Gross. Lol...

[wicky]

yeah so now what...the hookworm is gone but skin is far from perfect

[Reti]

Walgreens Chlorhexidine Gluconate disinfectant soap in the white bottle for 8 bucks. Keep it out of your eyes and ears CAREFULLY. No dyes added, unlike Hibiclens... though it and a few other brands can be found for cheaper in bulk.

And either Walgreen's Maximum-strength triple antibiotic ointment if you don't mind petrolatum on your skin...

Or 2-4% salicylic acid toner, then 10% BPO of some type, then Integrated Labs Sulfur Ointment over that as a moisturizer and further treatment. You could also either get their SAL ointment instead or replace the sulfur ointment with it for a double wammy of SA.

The triple antibiotic ointment is the most gentle, but won't go really deep and get rid of every cyst. Some BPO and acid is required for those.

If you don't want to screw around with Chlorhexidine, try generic tar shampoo from Walmart or somewhere else. You can also get a variety of PCMX-based disinfectant cleansers that are safer to mess with.

I still have not ventured into veterinary shampoos & lotions yet, but I'll report back when I do.

I don't like the double antibiotic creams, the ones with promoxine, or the original Neosporin with cocoa butter. And I think Dan's BP is too weak, though it's alright if you're combining it with 10% for spot treatment.

You should get on antibiotics for a while just to see if they will help. Tetracycline is a bad idea and almost never works for very long, not to mention is terribly hard on the body and might turn your teeth gray. That's one of the antibiotics that people are unknowingly reference when they say they lower you're immune system and screw you up. Save it for when your life is in danger.

If you can afford isotrentinoin, I'd do that… preferably orally, but a topical synthetic retinoid is a great idea for most acne sufferers.

[chunkylard]

You should NOT get on antibiotics. Especially for something like acne.

You'll fry your intestinal flora (which coincidentally help keep your acne at bay) and won't be able to fight off an infection once something serious comes on.

[joris]

wont a hookworm cause imflamation/stress the gut?

[Reti]

I've been on low dose erythromycin for years and still fart as much as I ever did, so I don't see how it destroyed my intestinal flora. I know it's possible in some people, but I guess mine are resistant. And erythromycin, in particular, changes the way sebum re-integrated into the surrounding skin, reducing the way it pools in pores. It doesn't dry out the skin, but does change how the oiliness does its thing. Not completely, but some. And if I get off it my acne always goes back to how it was before. It's also more gentle than tetracycline on the body overall, and doesn't upset my tummy usually as long as I take it with a meal. Works well in combo with BPO, sulfur, and SA, or with triple antibiotic ointment instead on nights where the harsher stuff is taking a toll.

[Wonc]

Gross. Lol...

My thoughts completely. I think that (this is just a guess based on nothing, without research) that if this were to be true, then it would be much more common between acne sufferers, it sounds absurd to me..

[Wonc]

I've been on low dose erythromycin for years and still fart as much as I ever did, so I don't see how it destroyed my intestinal flora. I know it's possible in some people, but I guess mine are resistant. And erythromycin, in particular, changes the way sebum re-integrated into the surrounding skin, reducing the way it pools in pores. It doesn't dry out the skin, but does change how the oiliness does its thing. Not completely, but some. And if I get off it my acne always goes back to how it was before. It's also more gentle than tetracycline on the body overall, and doesn't upset my tummy usually as long as I take it with a meal. Works well in combo with BPO, sulfur, and SA, or with triple antibiotic ointment instead on nights where the harsher stuff is taking a toll.

I found erythromycin absolutely killer when taking with any food for me. I felt like I was going to faint, head aches, sore limbs. I do however still suffer the intestinal side effects of it with only 4 months of it. *just a side note

[chunkylard]

I've been on low dose erythromycin for years and still fart as much as I ever did, so I don't see how it destroyed my intestinal flora. I know it's possible in some people, but I guess mine are resistant. And erythromycin, in particular, changes the way sebum re-integrated into the surrounding skin, reducing the way it pools in pores. It doesn't dry out the skin, but does change how the oiliness does its thing. Not completely, but some. And if I get off it my acne always goes back to how it was before. It's also more gentle than tetracycline on the body overall, and doesn't upset my tummy usually as long as I take it with a meal. Works well in combo with BPO, sulfur, and SA, or with triple antibiotic ointment instead on nights where the harsher stuff is taking a toll.

No, you're not resistant to it.

[Reti]

If it killed off the bacteria in my GI tract, wouldn't I not have the ability to fart?

The first course I had of it when I was a teen made me terribly ill. I don't think the doc told me to take it with each meal, though.

[chunkylard]

If it killed off the bacteria in my GI tract, wouldn't I not have the ability to fart?

The first course I had of it when I was a teen made me terribly ill. I don't think the doc told me to take it with each meal, though.

No

[Riddled]

I am sorry to hear that Wicky. Lucky i'm not a doctor.

I don't think it necessarily means it wont work for other people.

I just have a gut feeling about this.

Maybe it will only work for certain people, depends how desperate they are i guess.
Google helminthic therapy and acne and you will see there are people who report there acne clearing while taking them for other reasons.

Isn't anyone interested in the implied mechanisms if it does work for some people?

Why doesn't there seem to be much research done on immunoregulation and acne?
[Apart from the obvious answer being because there isn't any connection in the first place.]

Sometimes you have to think outside the box to get the answer.

Its not as digusting as some of you may think. Most of us are rammed with bacteria and parasites. I bet all the indigenous peoples of the world with their super amazing clear skin have miles more bacteria and parasites in their bodies than a lot of the people in the western world with terrible skin.

Some food for thought - very interesting stuff.



Funny thing about the farting. I wonder how significant farting is. I have ibs symptons such as excessive gas causing bloating, heartburn and farting but the farting is the only thing that doesn't bother me [even if it bothers others]. Also i tend to either have bloating or farting. Is there a significance to the direction of the gas.

[Nyxter]

Hey, Just for your reference, probably an old-ish and un-useful reply, but I caught hookworm last year when was in Jamaica, it spread from feet to hand etc and had to go to tropical disease to get some cure.

Firstly, It is a pain in the ass, really itches alot etc. so i recommend NOT trying to get this to try out,

anyway, also I still have acne now (its mild-ish but been like this for a while) - so it definetly doesn't make you immune to acne, as since the time of me having it I have got worse.