The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
9 User Reviews
Posted by Elle (The Netherlands) on 06/30/2020
★★★★★
Hi All,
I posted about this issue before. As a sufferer of this condition for 8 years, I feel it is good to give an update because I now finally have it 98% under control. I was (mis) diagnosed with folliculitus decalvans a couple of years ago. The dermatologist prescribed low dose roaccutane. It cleared up the condition until I stopped the medication and the problem came back. So here is what I know, how I control it, and hopefully it can help someone out there.
Triggers:
Hats, stress (especially in situations in which I feel I don't have control, or not feeling good enough), not sleeping enough, not washing my hair EVERY SECOND DAY.
What made it worse/did not help:
Turmeric paste, yogurt, honey, castor oil, tea tree oil, all kinds of anti acne products, zink ointment especially, washing hair with anti dandruff shampoo, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, changes in diet
What helps:
A small dab of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar on the problem spot morning and night. DO NOT douse all surrounding tissues on your scalp with vinegar!
I believe if you treat small pimples like problem skin, the surrounding tissues will start to act like problem skin and so spread the condition. If it is in my hair where it is not visible, I usually just leave it alone, and it will dry out by itself.
For visible hairline problem areas:
- Leave a pimple until it forms a yellow head for as long as you can. Otherwise bring it to a head with a warm washcloth.
- Dab it with apple cider vinegar once or twice a day, until it pops. Be careful not to spread pus.
- Once the lesion is drained and DRY (30 minutes later) cover it with a thin layer of benzoil peroxide. That's it.
Drinking green tea and lemon water and eating lots of vegetables speeds up the healing process too.
Good luck to anyone who struggles with this disease. XXX
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Maya (U.s) on 06/29/2018
★★★★★
I've had folliculitis for 6 years on my buttocks, and nothing helped. It was all over my buttocks. I was so embarrassed by that, and never told anyone about it. I tried many creams and antibiotics but didn't see any major impact. I tried using apple cider vinegar (organic) only 5 days ago. I'm so happy to announce that my folliculitis is 99% GONE!!! I can't believe how lucky I am to come across this solution. It is absolutely magical. I used it on cotton ball and applied 2-3 a day. Didn't drink it at all. It does wonders. I never thought it will work this good.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Miss_jo (Boston, Ma) on 04/10/2016
★★★★★
I have Folliculitis and been using straight up Apple Cider Vinegar for about 1 1/2-2 weeks now and it's working for sure and I saw immediately results. I started off using it twice a day and now I use it up to 3-4 times in a row and the bumps get huge and it pops with a little blood and puss. Yes it's very very very painful and burns when you apply the Vinegar, but I deal with it since I just want it gone. I honestly think it would've been gone by now if I had not scratched or rubbed out of desperation for relief. When I itch I just rub with ACV on my hands lol, or I scratch real quick (aggravate it) and then I apply ACV all over and more bumps pop but also form, so I try to avoid touching the area all together if I'm not cleaning it.
Replied by Dre
(Texas)
02/10/2017
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Larry Drake (Canada) on 11/24/2015
★★★★★
Folliculitis:
I came to this site and read various home remedies. I thought I'd give the vinegar a try.
I had a bump that started 6-10 weeks ago, then progressed into a sore that became painful and swollen. I went to the doctor, they prescribed me antibiotics. It seemed to take the initial swelling down but didn't get rid of the lump that was now discharging. I decided to look up other remedies and that's when I came to this site. I read about the vinegar so I thought I'd give that a try since I have that available.
I soaked a gauze pad or cotton ball in vinegar and washed the lump/bump area with the vinegar. It immediately broke and began discharging blood and puss. It stung too but I didn't mind. I treated the sore like this 2-3 times a day, washing it with vinegar as much as I could.
Well I have noticed almost immediate results and continue to experience some relief. The vinegar initially drained the sore, which the doctor said was good. But it also seems to have shrunk the lump/bump and have begun to dry it up into a smaller little, less painful lump. It is not discharging anymore either which is a good sign to me.
I'll give the vinegar a thumbs up. It seems to have worked in shrinking the lump but also making the redness, irritation and drainage go away. All good things for me because this initially freaked me out.
Thanks everyone for their tips. I'll keep using the vinegar and update once I see how things progress.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bec (Altus, OK) on 03/20/2015
March 19,2015 Frustrated with reg. Medical "cures" tried Apple Cider Vinegar (with mother works best), spray bottle as needed, also 2 tsp. In 1/2 cup water, helped but still itched. I began using 100 % aloe vera liquid. Drink 1 oz. 2 times daily; also placed in small spray bottle, easier to apply to scalp. Such relief. Fewer outbreaks, much itch relief. Used tea tree oil as well, again helps. Also found baby sunblock helped reduce places. Thankful I found this site as I have grandkids, love to be with them but stopped as was terrified I would pass to them. I use hand sanitizer constantly when with them, playing their games etc.. Plan to try tumeric as well as magnesium supplment. Allergies, asthma keep my system low but Apple Cider Vinegar w/mother has definitely worked for severe attacks as well as inhaler without drug lethargic side effects. Felt alone in this battle, your input has helped, praying mine helps in return.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lorraine (Perth. Western Australia) on 08/05/2013
Hi, so so pleased to have found this site, after struggling 6 long years with this hideous painfully, scarring skin condition! I was diagnosed later in life ( 42) with gluten intolerance and fibromyalgia (multiple chemical sensitivities) , consequently a dematologist initially diagnosed the red painful itching rash as herpetiformis dermatitis , m, but recently thinks I have folliculitis. I have taken doxyciline antibiotics for 6 years and now they have little effect, being a health nut I have explored many alternative treatments and I'm desperate for a cure as this condition is creeping over my entire body and has severely restricted my life ;( A few days ago I thought I would try apple cider vinegar compresses twice or three times a day and have seen a slight improvement! I am cancelling the next dematologist appointment that I cannot afford, and to be honest when I quizzed her on herbs/vitamins I got a blank look and "we don't have any data on alternative treatments'..... I am also limiting high arginine foods as these seem to flare it up, very sadly said goodbye to Lindt dark choccy.... Will keep you posted... Like the rest of you here I am the eternal optimist living in hope for remission from this vile condition!
Replied by Jaimine
(Gujarat, India)
11/18/2013
Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee, Usa)
11/18/2013
Replied by Elaina
(California)
04/22/2016
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Joe (San Diego, Ca) on 02/26/2012
★★★★★
Check dis out I have always wondered what I had on my chin area white heads dat would go away when I shaved and then come back tried everything would go away 4 a minute and then get used 2 whatever I was using and come back what a bad feeling 2 b out and your whole face looking clear and these pus filled bumps wud start coming out on my chin area please please try da ACV apple cider vinegar it works can't believe it finally a million thanks 2 all da peeps who posted on having follicoltis dis changed my life woot woot!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Baden (Brooklyn, Ny) on 12/17/2011
★★★★★
Make it simple. I have suffered a lot from folliculitis for 3, 4 months at the pubic hair. No antibiotic cream nor doctors could cure it until I read this article. I used straight apple vinegar applying once (sometimes twice a day). In a week, the miracle happened. It was gone. Thank you so much.
Replied by Carlos
(Clinton Twp, Mi)
05/14/2018
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dean B (Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England) on 09/24/2011
I've been diagnosed with foliculitus of the scalp, I've used different antibiotics and also tea tree oil and lavender but it's not stopped the itching.
I've had it for 3 months now, and I've restarted taking the anti-biotics again and before I had lots of scabs and sores around the back of my head and crown but now they have gone, but I still have itching.... so I bought some ACV, only one I could find was apple cidre vinegar, I applied two teaspoons to 250ml of warm water and applied to the itching areas of the scalp, and then wrapped a towel around my head and washed it off after 15 mins and then washed twice as normal with my normal shampoo, which is E45.
Now it usually stops the itching, but today it's itching more than it has in awhile and I lost more hair when washing last night, I'm a 26 yr old guy and been thinning for awhile, but now I have this itchy scalp I've lost more, but after using ACV again last night, I lost more than I have in awhile. I've used it 4-5 now over the past weeks.
So will the mother raw ACV help me more? Is it the best for scalp infections like folicilitus? I don't have the scabs so much now but have itches all over my head.
So how much ACV should I apply when washing? Should I do it before washing then shampoo or shampoo as normal then apply ACV and leave on, and if so, how long do I leave it on for?
Is it also a good idea to drink it too, to kill anything causing this follicilutis from inside me?
Anymore advice on Apple Cider Vinegar to get rid of this folicilutis is much appreciated. Thankyou.
Please reply, I really need this advice so I know what to do, as the itching is so annoying.
Replied by Marie
(NY)
12/05/2022
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Natalie (Doncaster, England) on 01/08/2011
★★★★★
just wanted say that I have had folliculitis for over three years, I had tried antibiotics, creams etc. I began to lose hope...... Until I came across using apple cider vineager 50/50 solution on the affected areas. In my case face, chest, torso sometimes legs. It worked almost immediately, within days, when I don't use the vineager solution it gradually comes back until I start to bathe the areas with the Apple Cider Vinegar again.
I also find that sea salt scrubs and baths help too. I wanted to post this as it is the only thing that has made a dramatic difference to this horrible condition. I hope this helps some one else.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kathy (Livermore, Ca) on 05/26/2009
★★★★☆
I just came down with what I thought was a horrible case of acne, something I have never had. It was painful and covering my face and neck. Just from reading your site in the past I decided to use ACV on a cotton pad. It really took it down quite a bit. But what really made it turn the table was some powder that was sent to me as a freeby when I ordered some magnesium. I think it's a bi product of mica mining. It was down right amazing. Today I just got back from the Dr. who diagnosed it as folliculitis not acne, he wants me on antibiotics. Once I heard the diagnosis, I did further research on your site, I will now try turmeric as well. I was scared enough to take the antibiotics when the Dr. said it was caused by strep or staph, but just swallowed some turmeric instead, I will let you know if it clears it completely...meanwhile I'm covered in ACV and mica dust which has been a life saver!
Replied by Melody
(Wadsworth, Oh)
07/20/2012
