Actinic Keratosis (solar keratosis) is a common skin condition caused repeated sun damage over many years. While the condition is generally harmless, the risk exists that a solar keratosis patch may develop into skin cancer. Because these skin patches can appear on the head, face, hands, and arms, they are a cosmetic concern for many as well. Home remedies for actinic keratosis are inexpensive, effective and easy to use. Apple cider vinegar, borax, iodine and vitamin C are among the simple proven natural cures for actinic keratosis.
Natural Remedies for Solar Keratosis
Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw and organic apple cider vinegar is used internally and externally to treat actinic keratosis.
External Use
Depending on the size of the actinic keratosis, use a q-tip or cotton ball to apply raw, organic apple cider vinegar to the spots 2-4 times a day. If you find that this irritates your skin, dilute it with water – use equal parts of water and apple cider vinegar.
Internal Use
Apple cider vinegar has been used for generations to heal a variety of conditions, including skin problems. Add 1 -3 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to a tall glass of water once or twice a day.
Borax
Borax, found in the laundry section of larger grocery stores, is a very inexpensive natural remedy for actinic keratosis. Make a paste with borax and water. Apply to the lesions 2-4 times a day. One of our readers mixed the borax with Listerine instead of water and found that to be very helpful!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is best used internally and externally for the treatment of actinic keratosis.
To use vitamin C topically you will Vitamin C powder in the form of ascorbic acid. Mix 1/8 teaspoon of ascorbic acid with 1 teaspoon of water. Use a cotton ball or q-tip to apply this solution to your lesions 2 – 4 times a day. Make a new batch of solution each day.
The ascorbic acid powder can be used as your internal vitamin c supplement, which is also helpful for skin conditions and immune system support. It will be the least expensive way to get your vitamin c anyway. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of ascorbic acid and 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda and 4 ounces of water. This will give you a little over 1 gram of vitamin C in the form of sodium ascorbate, which is easier on the stomach than ascorbic acid. This amount can be taken 2-3 times a day or even more often. If you get loose stools, cut back on the amount you take.
Iodine
Topical use of iodine has been found effective in healing actinic keratosis. Use a q-tip to apply iodine to the lesions twice a day. Try this first at night. Iodine stains the skin for a time and you may not wish to go out with your skin an orange-yellow color! It is possible you will only want to use this treatment at bedtime. If so, perhaps try one of the other topical solutions above each morning. Lugol’s iodine is a popular iodine for internal and external use.
Colloidal Silver
Colorless and odorless, colloidal silver can be used for solar keratosis. If you put colloidal silver in a spray bottle it is easy to apply and won’t stain or sting! Apply colloidal silver at least twice a day.
If you have actinic keratosis, you should protect your skin from overexposure to the sun. Short periods of sun exposure are important for the body, but if you will be in the sun for extended periods, protect your skin. Lightweight long sleeves, pants and hats are preferred over sunscreen. Overuse of chemical sunscreen has been linked to skin cancers.
Have you tried a natural remedy for actinic keratosis? Please share your story with us! And continue reading to find out how our readers have used the above remedies, and others, to treat their actinic keratosis.
The comments about apple cider viniger being uncomfortable, orther substances being painful, are unique to each individual. I think just treating a small part of the area at first would be common sense, why treat with a substance when you don't know how you will react. But it's proven that apple cider viniger and many of the other DIY remedies help with skin lesions such a actinic keratosis. In the absence of doctors who will aggressively people, especially older people afflicted with this condition, I think whatever we can do in a common sense way to help ourselves, is smart. I can tell you, as a former nurse, I saw people who just gave up on the lesions on their necks, face, scalp, and especially their backs. Those lesions itch and are unsightly and it's darn hard to put up with it. If you find a dermatologist who will welcome you, treat treat them, and you can afford it, please let us know. Most of us are met with the standard…Oh those things, like skin tags, and keratosis just come with age, they are harmless." You are left to live with it. So I get steamed when I see people try a remedy and just because they got uncomfortable, they beat the topic to death. As for me, I would much rather put on my big girl britches, use my cheap vinigar and be free of unsightly skin patches. I treat regularly and see results. I also make sure to get a yearly skin examination to make sure nothing is developing that needs a biopsy. I don't claim to be a doctor, but we'd be in sad shape if we just ignored common sense and proven helpful education to share here on other sites.
My doctor tried to get me to do the freeze method and I am into all natural everything. I have been used colloidal silver years ago, and it killed a scary spot on my face.
About a year or more ago, a friend suggested using it to kill viruses, etc, and my family and I stayed healthy through this year's flu attacks. I started using colloidal silver ointment on my keratosis about a week ago. this has a higher ppm than the liquid spray that I use for every other thing. (I had been using the spray on it, but I wasn't consistent. )
Things are changing rapidly, and it is burning off. the first week, it just turned pink, and now things are more active. Hoping that soon that thing will be gone. The silver has killed lots of cancerous looking cells on my shoulders and on my husband's back. Colloidal silver is amazing!
Side effect reported
OMG I put ACV on my entire nose and chin 2 times for actinic keratosis and will never use it again. My face is bright red and blistered bad. I even rinsed it off after the 2nd time. I don't know how anyone can apply ACV 4-5 times a day for weeks. They are a tougher person than I am (I am 60 years old)
I had a tiny scab that wouldn't heal on my upper lip and I had it for at least a year. I was slightly concerned that it may be a type of skin cancer and to be honest having already had moles removed in the past and the scars that were left, I didn't fancy going down the conventional doctor route as a first port of call. I came aross the reviews that folks kindly shared on this great site and saw that it was something called Actinic Keratosis – often caused by sun damage.
I was thinking about buying the curaderm cream which is based on the aubergine remedy however as a first off I thought I would try apple cider vinegar. I had seen some folks say it gets worse before it gets better. It stung a bit when I first applied it and then within about 24 hours of applying it neat a few times a day just using a bit of cotton wool ( I used the mother Apple Cider Vinegar ) I noticed that other scabs were appearing ( about 5 on my upper lip ) and my lower lip also scabbed over. My mouth was in a bit of a mess to be honest and I was really self conscious when I saw people as I thought it looked like I had a ton of cold sores.
I had read that the Apple Cider Vinegar can bring out the hidden stuff so I just gritted my teeth, kept a fairly low profile as much as possible and carried on in the good faith that if it had worked for all these other folks then it would work for me. Within about 5/ 6 days things were looking considerably better and I could see that my lips were actually healing. About another 3 days after that so about 9 or 10 days in total my lips were looking totally normal again. I finished the treatment about 2 months ago ( was extra careful putting on a high sunscreen when I went on holiday ) and glad to say they are still looking great.
ACV rocks. to think that I could have gone to doctors and quite possibly ended up with some chemical chemo type cream which would have side effects, what I can say? Thrilled that this worked.
For AK( actinic keratosis), use sap from Euphorbia peplus (petty spurge, radium weed, cancer weed, or milkweed). This white milky sap applied once per day for 3 days will burn off spots. Scab forms in few days, heals to normal skin. Keep out of eyes. Natural weed found wild in Southern California. Studies in England confirm results, used for hundreds of years.
Well, I have finally taken the plunge and joined earth clinic after years of using your site for all my familys health problems, you are a wonderful site. I take 2 tablespoons of ACV in water each morning and have cleared up my post nasal drip that doctors could never heal, cured. I now use colloidal silver every day as I have found it better on my skin cancers than ACV, I have solar keratosis everywhere (the joy`s, of an Australian sun), I wipe it on each cancer and take 1/2 tablespoon daily I do this once daily and so far the results are great it has cured many small ones, also I work in a garden centre and any small cuts and rose thorn sores it heals overnight a great product that I would never have known about if I had not found this site, we now keep a bottle at work. Keep up the good work Earth Clinic.
So you want to heal your skin. I am 55 years old Male, olive complexion, with dozens of age spots, AK’s, non-healing spots, solar freckles from years of Surfing, Tennis and all outdoor sports since I was about 4 years old. I have taken whole vitamins for years so I feel great and am extremely active, decades younger than my years but my age is given away by my terribly aged skin.
FIRST reduce the bio burden so your body can heal itself. Clean up the diet, drink only filtered water without chlorine or fluoride, get rid of fluoride toothpaste, take lots of Vitamin C (5-10 grams spread through the day) and a good multi. I applied topical Derma E, Aloe, and Coconut Oil to start helping to heal the easiest areas and reduce my bio burden to help my body heal itself.
I did the Carac and it is horrible, turns your face pink, hurts and stings everywhere. It works on most AK's but I had several on the hands and a few areas on the face that were unaffected, plus some areas on the face that were not AK's but something unknown to the dermatologist, plus brown age spots. I do not recommend this unless everything else fails.
So I scoured the web, and came up with several natural therapies: BEC5 (made from Apple Cider Vinegar/eggplant with hand mixer, keep in fridge), Magnesium Oil and Vitamin C. I rotated these by applying the BEC5, then the Mag Oil, then the Vitamin C crystals with water, repeat as many times as you like.
The BEC5 seemed to be pretty powerful and went after the affected areas, it stings a little and turns injured areas red, it also went after age spots, the mag oil helped dry everything out and replenish minerals, the vitamin C was then taken up readily by the dry skin. When repeated or every time moisture was applied the mag oil and vit C was reactivated, so it worked over and over, even without re-application.
After a couple weeks, the red areas started to heal. For a couple days here and there between treatments, I applied Derma E Night Moisturizer with Vit C and Hyaluronic Acid in the PM and aloe in the AM during work days. Then applied the therapies in the PM a couple hours before bed. After 2-3 weeks my worst AK’s were peeling off, the unknown issue on my face had turned red, and then healed. Small areas on my ears turned red, then healed along with all of the non-healing sores. Several of the worst brown spots flaked off, and others were fading. I am nearing the finish, when I apply the therapies they no longer sting, the skin is healing back and much better than it was before. Keep drinking lots of water, add some Apple cider Vinegar if you want, also saw that there are other things to do when the BIG problems are healed: Drink Aloe, take Pycnogenol and Nicotinic Acid. I will also continue with coconut oil, Derma E and trial some Retin A on the wrinkled areas for a few months. I hope to look a decade or two younger. See the Video’s of the 60 year old on retin A, she looks great…I hope to get there over a couple of years, but it takes time and diligence.
Don’t trust me, do you own due diligence, study up for yourself and try lots of things until something works for you. I tried more than a dozen oils, but nothing worked. Everyone is different…..Good luck.
The first Actinic Keratosis lesion I had was removed by my Dr. I had been applying a dissolved Vitamin C tablet covered by a Band-Aid to that lesion for a few weeks prior to removal, and it seemed to remained unchanged by that treatment.
About a year later, to my dismay, another lesion showed up. This time I decided I was going to give organic ACV a try. For the first few days I just applied the ACV to a swab and dabbed vinegar on in the am, dinnertime, pm, and bedtime. I did that for about a week, with no apparent changes. I wondered if I should be more aggressive, so I applied the ACV to a small piece of cotton and kept it in place on the lesion with a Band-Aid. I would re-wet when needed to keep the area moist, changing out the old cotton every day. The Band-Aid was removed at bath time. I kept it on almost continually, but did give the area fresh air a few hours per day or sometimes overnight. This is when changes started happening much more quickly. The lesion changed to a dark pink, and I would experience burning and stinging. I felt something was happening so kept up the routine. At around the two week mark, the lesion had begun to separate from the healthy surrounding tissue. I was amazed! It took about four more days for the lesion to let go.
That was about two weeks ago that the lesion let go completely. The spot is still a slightly pink color. It is flat and smooth. If I didn't point out the spot to you, you would not see it. I apply natural ointment and liquid Vitamin C to facilitate healing. Of course, I have no idea if will come back again, but I will leave another review if it does to state that has happened.
Hi
has anybody used for actinic chellitis of the lips? I have on my top lip on the pink bit. I had some removed by laser above my lip and it didn't go well. Any advise re ACV for the lip? Also, any advise how to reduce the white scar tissue look from the lasered part?
Thanks, Nigel
Hi,
has anybody used for actinic chellitis of the lips? I have on my top lip on the pink bit. I had some removed by laser above my lip and it didn't go well. Any advise re ACV for the lip? Also, any advise how to reduce the white scar tissue look from the lasered part?
Thanks, Nigel
I had a small spot of actinic keratosis on my face next to my nose about 1/4" diameter. The dermatologist performed cryosurgery on the spot three time without success. So, I tried apple cider vinegar and cured it myself. Now it's completely gone and the skin is smooth as silk. I used organic, raw, unfiltered ACV. I applied it undiluted with a Q-tip swab 4 times per day for 5 days. Held it on the spot for one minute each time.
I did not use the ACV internally. It stung a little. On the second day, I had a little bleeding and scabbing. On the fourth day, the scab floated off. It's been over a month now, and there are no signs of AK.
ACV for Solar Keratosis:
10 days into the treatment; 2-6 times a day, dabbed on with cotton wool, and the difference is amazing. Got worst before it got better. Uncomfortable/painful. The full extent of the problem was exposed by the ACV. That was worrisome. Now I only have scabs on my pate in a few places. They are diminishing daily. Could not be any happier or more relieved, after years of using diclofenac. I have toasted myself in the sun & on sunbeds all my life despite being blond and fair skinned. I say try it, persevere with it. Tell someone else about it.
Hi, good luck with the final bit of the treatment. I'm just about to start. Do you keep putting on the ACV to the Keratosis when the scabs are formed or do you stop and let them dry out?
Thanks, David
PS. Pity about the smell, my kids can't stand it 🙂 Oh and I'm telling everyone
Excellent results from apple cider vinegar. I had many sores on my bald head from sun damage accumulated over the years from overexposurer ( Actinic Keratosis). I applied the ACV with a q-tip soaked in the ACV three or four times a day for approximately four days. Scabs began to form within a few days and I was able to gently remove the scabs. So far so good. Actually, amazing .
Hi, do you know whether you keep applying the ACV once the scab has formed or do you stop? I have AK on my nose, temple, cheek and a number on my scalp and want to get right Thanks Nigel
Excellent results from apple cider vinegar. I had many sores on my bald head from sun damage accumulated over the years from overexposurer ( Actinic Keratosis). I applied the ACV with a q-tip soaked in the ACV three or four times a day for approximately four days. Scabs began to form within a few days and I was able to gently remove the scabs. So far so good. Actually, amazing .
I have been battling skin cancer in various stages for over 3 years. First 2nd stage melanoma tumor removed from the inside arch of my left foot – 2"x2" tumor. Last year I had 7 surgeries for skin cancer in various types & stages with the largest tumor removed from right thigh. I needed a 6 month break from the surgeries and I was due 3 months ago for skin check but want to try some natural healing first. I just tried lemongrass oil on 3 spots to see, one on my right wrist about the size of a pea, my left ankle and another spot about the size of a nickel on my right thigh. I applied it straight with a q-tip and to day is day 3 and the wrist is almost gone and the others are making great progress. Since I have so many more spots I want to try to Apple Cider Vinegar. I am curious approximate how many spots have you treated and how many are gone. You had expressed you did your treatment process for 4 days after it started to dry up did you continue the treatment or just let it take its course? Thank you in advance for your response.
For some years I've had a spot on my forearm that started out as a mosquito bite, but which never completely healed, forming a 1/2 inch area of thin pink skin which would almost seem to heal and then crack open again and scab over. It looked exactly like the pics of actinic keratosis. It did not seem to grow, and I was reluctant to offer it up to a dermatologist for removal.
I tried many remedies, none worked, and then I tried coconut oil, which someone recommended with the idea the problem might be a fungus. The coconut oil did seem to bring very slow improvement, so I started thinking what else I could use for a fungus, and I came up with borax. I made a paste of borax laundry detergent booster and water, applied a chickpea sized dab to the lesion, and covered it with a band aid. I kept the bandaid on most of the time, reapplying borax at night. Within a week, I knew it was working, as the scab kept shrinking and the pink skin got thicker. It's been two weeks now, and the lesion is closed, the skin, still pink, but thicker and looking resilient. I will probably always have a scar there, but I am very happy to have the skin healed over.
I did add another tweak after the first ten days. Convinced the anti fungal treatment was working, I started using Listerine (original) instead of water to wet the borax. Listerine has thymol and eucalyptol, apparently the real plant oils, which are effective against fungus. I did this because my brother claimed to have gotten rid of bad toenail fungus by painting Listerine all over his nails every night. Not to say that AK is the same fungus, but just that anti fungal treatment seems to have worked amazingly in my case.
I would love to know if this will work for anybody else!
I am also convinced that at least some pre cancers and cancers ate actually fungus and or a bacteria that acts fungal such as Streptomyces and labs are getting it wrong because diagnosis requires special cultures and because of repeated incorrect training. I have been diagnosed with actinic keritosis and antimicrobials work. Is it a coincidence that antimicrobials work for certain cancer and pre cancer lesions, I don't think so. They are either fungal/bacterial infections or simply misdiagnosis.
This is my first time posting and I'm unsure if this is the right place to post about this cure. So my apologies if it's not.
I've had 3 rough red spots on the bridge of my nose for a number of years. Doc said they were actinic keratosis (ak) and to keep an eye on them since they can occasionally turn into cancer. They were unsightly and would sometimes get inflamed a little and peel, so I wanted to get rid of them. It's not uncommon for bruises, cuts and other injuries to leave marks on my skin for a long time after they've healed up, so I didn't want to do the cut or burn approach and have marks from that for a year, so I started looking for alternative treatments.
I read about using eggplant and ACV on AKs, so I blended up an eggplant with raw ACV and let it sit in the fridge for a day. Then I'd apply a thick layer of that paste to the lesions and leave it on overnight (uncovered). In the morning the paste would be dried up and firmly attached to the AKs and I had to peel them off or wash them off with lots of water and patience. The AKs got pretty inflammed and sore after a couple of days, then they started to weep and bleed a little. But only the AKs reacted. The rest of the skin in the treated area showed absolutely no reaction to the paste. About 5 days into the treatment the area was pretty sore and inflamed, so I stopped treatment for a couple of days to let it rest. Then I resumed treatment.
There was one spot on the right side of my nose that had been slightly pink, but had never had a visible AK. It got inflammed and sore too, so I assume it was an AK that hadn't surfaced yet.
About a week into treatment the AKs started going away. The AKs started sloughing and the redness and inflammation subsided. Four small pimples popped up on the edge of a couple of the AKs. They were small but quite sore. They lasted for about a week, then they peeled and fell off too. I continued to apply the paste for another week. But when the AKs started peeling the skin stopped reacting to the paste and nothing more happed, so I quit using it.
It's been about 4 weeks since I started the treatment, and at this point the areas where the AKs were are a light pink color, but all of the skin there is soft and smooth now. So for me the eggplant/ACV paste was a success. And it was cheap and easy too. Just one eggplant and about a half of a cup of raw ACV vinegar.
I'm 61 and a redhead and have had solar keratosis for about 5 years. Initially one on my face and some on my back and then several on my chin I've been treated with cryotherapy but it takes ages to heal and has always returned. I started treating myself with 'diluted ' cyder vinegar but again it came back. In the last 3 months I have been mixing the vinegar with aubergine and I think I'm finally seeing normal skin.
I have stopped and started and almost given up on several occasions as it got worse and new areas appeared . It's not easy having to burn your face time and time again knowing it will scab over and praying it will heal and not return. I have to virtually perform surgery on my face every day before it's smooth enough to wear make up before I can go out. I'm lucky I'm retired now. That's maybe why it's taken so long but it was either that or be a total hermit. I've stayed in for days to avoid picking the scabs and allow it to heal but to no avail. My husband thinks I'm self harming but what choice do I have when it's on my face.
Anyway, am keeping my fingers crossed and will keep posting. Am not sure if I'll be left with scarring. I also had a biopsy about a month ago and have to wait 6 wks on the result. The dermatologist said she couldn't diagnose my condition because I couldn't leave my skin alone. I need to be checked on a regular basis in future as obviously now high risk for squamous cell carcinoma. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to show the dermatologist a positive result.
Update – It's been 11 months since I used the eggplant/ACV paste on the four solar keratoses on my nose, and I can now say that the treatment was a complete success. There are no signs that the keratoses were ever there. The skin is smooth and soft, and there are none of the lingering red marks that often will remain for a year or so after my skin has had an injury.
A question. Why Apple Cider Vinegar as opposed to other vinegars. They are all acetic acid. Why not distilled malt vinegar, or even malt vinegar itself. The method seems to promote skin peeling (acid is corrosive) rather than a chemical effect.
Comments please.
Anon, go ahead and try the different vinegars on your keratosis and let us know what your results are. I am always interested in what actually works for people. Good luck!
A little risky on the face.
I pick at mine too. Been applying ACV for about 2-3 weeks 3-5x per day with q-tip, but I can't help but pick at the things, and now they are all bloody and scabby. Not sure if I should stop the ACV and let them heal? Or just keep on with the ACV and stop rubbing and picking at them. Probably that one. I think I'll try a week of ACV and absolutely NO scraping. Maybe they'll scab over and fall off!
Good luck with yours, too.
I am in the same position as you. Have been applying ACV for over a week now and my arms are covered in very dry scabs and itchy. I shall continue to apply ACV and see what happens. I might try rubbing aloe Vera on my arms, as they are very dry.
Diagnosed with pre-cancerous Actinic Ketosis on my back. Read here, (thank you Earth Clinic for this site and all of you! ) that ACV could help this. Since I'm up for experimenting on myself, I tried it.
I used the ACV straight on the Ketosis after I took a picture of it. It is now healed completely. Also used the ACV straight, no dilution, on my face, and any bumps that I have on my body and under breasts. A small skin nodule under my lip fell off in one day. At first, my skin seemed to get very red, but I think that was the stuff coming out that needed healing. All other bumps (moles, etc.) are getting better but not healed yet.
My husband had a rash on the back of his knee and has been using ACV for the past month and it is much better but not healed yet. ACV rocks!
How long did you use the ACV? I have been using it for 3 weeks and the scabs seem to come back so I'm thinking the area needs more work. ANY thoughts?
Dear Shellie. My husband is fair-skinned and doesn't use sunblock so he gets actinic keratoses a lot. Have found: (1) exfoliate often..can use a rough washcloth or charcoal sponge (2) apply aloe vera gel AM and PM (3) always use sunblock.
Good Luck, Rose
ACV for solar keratosis, basal cell.
If you are not getting results with this, I suggest applying the ACV and leaving it open to air as much as possible. Also try not using oils (even coconut! ) for a while. For me my problem just continued when I used oils. Hydrogen peroxide seems fine. I'm getting much better result this way. You can use a soaked ACV cotton ball to cover the area or expose the problem but then it needs to dry out I believe. I have been messing with a spot for over 3 yrs. I feel I had a setback when I applied orange oil 3 months ago but I've almost knocked out the new area using the above. Yes I've tried almost all the home remedies including Efudex, twice daily x 3wk (probably should have done it longer). BTW I only recently quit applying oil completely because it dawned on me that the times I had the most improvement was when I didn't use oil. I just started experimenting with hemp oil on my good skin to see if it helps with age spots.
I’m disappointed to have to report that for some reason two tiny areas appeared on the lower edge of the old spot, like little white heads (after soaking with vinegar). I really thought I had it knocked out. I’ve decided to switch over to a “dryer” approach and start applying Sunspot Es to dry and peel them off. I used Sunspot on the old spot before and it seemed to work but I applied nothing for 4mos and it came back. I’m not sure what is exacerbating things.
Finally some progress, I decided to only use tea tree oil. I dropped the oil over the spot frequently for the last couple days, it's nice because it dries it up. Well today after my shower I used peroxide to clean and then pulled on the dry skin which peeled off leaving a pretty clean looking pink ulcer. Luckily its only about 2mm so not so scary. Believe me I've had my share of scary. This spot was biopsied as Actinic keratosis 3 yrs ago but the report said it permeated all layers and might be something worse underneath. At that time I was using CO/melatonin paste. I'm gonna continue to tx with tto. And maybe moisture it with CO/TTO/melatonin. One nice thing about this treatment is it doesn't appear to spread things around like some of the other things seem to do. I don't know why the vinegar started giving me problems this time, but I would recommend TTO.
Thank you Blindedbyscience for your update. I’ve got something similar and have been very frustrated by some things causing the affected area to enlarge.
I am finally seeing some progress in halting the spread and seeing the bumpy area get a bit lower, by using Epsom Salt and French Green Clay. Once in a while I also dab on wet Baking Soda. None of these things are causing spreading so I am finally breathing easier on this!
Maybe I’ll add Tea Tree Oil, although in the past it did nothing for me.
I just wanted to reinforce the previous comment – do not use any oil based product on the area of skin you are treating with ACV. It prevents the healing process. I was treating Solar Keratosis for 6 weeks with only a little success. When I stopped using anything else the process took only two weeks!
I had liquid nitrogen used about four years ago on four spots on my cheek; they all came back. Now I have just one spot on my right cheek, about 0.5" in diameter. I use coconut oil with frankincense essential oil, about five drops to a Tbsp. of coconut oil, then cover with it several times a day. I alternate with 'DMSO liquid (dimethyl sulfoxide) 99.9% pure', from the health store. It feels 'under control'.
I've used SunSpot ES for years … spots always come back.
Yes, liquid nitrogen will make a keratosis form a scab and peel off, leaving fresh-looking skin, but the keratosis will come back after a couple of years. So it's an effective medium-term remedy, but not a cure. I don't know about ACV … I'll give it a try!
I gave ACV an good 8 weeks, applying 2 to 3 times a day, on a keratosis on my face. It was on the side of my nose, right under my left eye, right where the pads for your glasses would sit. It was the size of the pads of glasses, too.
It didn't work for this keratosis. I had had it biopsied, since I didn't know what it was, at first. Having those two puncture marks in it, I believe made it more difficult to treat, because it wasn't in one piece anymore, and had little grooves and difficult to get at areas.
So, I gave in and let my doctor freeze it with the liquid nitrogen. It was quick, and much less painful than the ACV treatments were. I am still waiting for the freezing to heal, and will let you know how it goes, but I think it does look much better than what I was doing with the ACV.
If I had another one to deal with, and didn't get the biopsy, I might try ACV again. I think that I had let this one go on too long, as it had been there for a couple of years. So, I'm not down on using ACV, but would def use it much sooner, if I ever had to….and hope I never, never need to deal with it again.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Actinic Keratosis:
About 9 years ago I hit my quite bald head on a lump of rough wood while on holiday. It bled but healed as any other cut would. Then 9yrs or so later (I'm 36 now) after a shower I notice some blood on the towel after drying my slightly balder head. I checked it out and the scar tissue was bleeding, ever so slightly. I didn't think much of it at the time but after a week or so it wasn't getting much better so I had it checked by a derm and he said it was Actinic Keratosis (AK) and prescribed Aldara cream. I didn't go for the cream due to side effects and the fact that I don't place a lot of faith in modern medicine. Instead I did some research which included this website and another one on skin cancer and came up with the ACV alternative treatment which I started immediately because we already had some, with a rather large mother as it was a couple of years old. I started to douse the area with a cotton bud 2-3 times per day and also supplemented with ACV morning and evening (two desert spoons in a glass of water). When the derm had looked at it he pushed and pulled it about and left me with big scab which I was a bit uncomfortable with. I read that you have to be persistent but I was beginning to lose faith a bit after 3-4 weeks and then last night while dousing, the large scab just floated off to reveal what appears to be unblemished new skin! I still have a couple of much smaller scabs an hope these will go the same way so will carry on treating it. I will probably continue to supplement (in water) even when they are gone because I read that these conditions sometimes occur when your body is too acidic and ACV helps to alkalize it. It might be worth mentioning that I have suffered with Candida, a long standing toe nail fungus, for all of my adult life and I believe this contributed to it as well.
Hopefully this will encourage others to try the alternatives but remember that it won't happen overnight and keep going!
I was prescribed Efudex for my first solar keratosis in 2008, using it for 6 weeks, and whilst it did work, it left me with a pale mark on my cheek. I recently developed another keratosis, this time on my nose, and my search for a kinder alternative remedy brought me to this website. I used apple cider vinegar and am relieved and happy to be able to say that it has worked. After about four days of applying Raw ACV, a scab developed, and just over two weeks later it has fallen off leaving no sign of the keratosis. Do try it, for me the whole treatment was so quick and now I have plenty of vinegar left over to use for salad dressing!
I have been trying apple cider vinegar for about 5 days. Applying twice daily and sleeping in my legs wrapped in gauze soaked in ACV. I have about 4 spots that look like a hole has been burned in leg and is yellow and very swollen. Should I keep applying to these spots or stop? Thank you for help! I have been using chemotherapy cream for almost a year with no change at all! I can already tell they are getting better but just worried about these spots that look really bad. Thanks for any advice!
Tracy, slow down with your applications. Do much less even if it will take longer to heal.
Tracy, it has been my experience that the growths will get inflamed, turn black, hurt, etc. Before they get better. I compare it to what happens when the body fights an infection from a cut and the area gets swollen, red and painful as the body's immune system does battle. Judging from my own experience and readings about treating skin growths with alternative treatments, what you are seeing is pretty much to be expected.
I was diagnosed with solar keratosis in March 2013 and prescribed a Diclofenac Sodium gel (Solaraze) for 90-day application to treat the itchy rashes on my forehead.
The 90-day use was somewhat effective but upon stopping (as the prescription was then expired), the rashes came back with a vengeance.
I looked for a natural alternative and found this website, for which I'm now very grateful. I washed Apple Cider Vinegar into the affected areas morning and night and also took a tablespoon of ACV with sweetening and healing Manuka Honey morning and night too. Straightaway I could see and feel the rashes healing. Now, two months on, I've just been back to the dermatologist who found that all but a small patch on my nose was completely healed. There's some barely visible scarring which I imagine is because the keratosis damages the skin quite deeply. I hadn't been paying so much attention to the patch on my nose but I am doing now, applying the ACV.
Throughout this time I've worn a baseball cap when I go outside if there's any sun to aggravate the rashes. Early on, I forgot my cap one sunny day and the rashes were aggravated so today I'm still using the cap for protection, probably best to do so, I guess.
I got tired of my Dermatologist poo-poohing then suggesting cutting, scraping, freezing or burning the solar keratosis on my left cheek. Not on my face! This very site turned me on to the apple cider vinegar cure. Applying religiously for three weeks has caused the red patch, originally the size of a pencil eraser, to almost completely disappear. Apply several times daily (more on weekends or when one isn't working) with a q-tip, be patient, and watch the magic slowly happen. The key is to not quit, no matter how bad the keratosis looks, because the apple cider vinegar will attack vigorously at first, even sting and burn. I can't wait to crow about this simple, cost-effective, at-home, remedy when I see the Dermatologist next May. Keep in mind that often times doctors are looking out for their own wallets, not your personal well-being. Who wants to be cut, scrapped, burned, or frozen when, with a little patience, the results can be this rewarding? Thanks to everyone who posted before me about this amazing cure! It's great to have my confidence back and be able to look at myself in the mirror again!!!
Hi all, I would just like to say I have used ACV on several solar keratosis over the last few months and Yes it definitely works a treat. It takes a good while sometime 4-8 weeks to clear them up but it is definitely worth it. I started applying the vinegar on two on my temple and after a week more appeared and all went crusty, I kept applying the ACV day and night week after week and eventually they all fell off. So the key I found was not to give up and keep at it until they clear. O yeah I also drink it and will continue to do so, have had a cold or been sick in the last year. Thanks Earthclinic brilliant website.
Twelve days ago, the doctor diagnosed a 'scab' patch on my nose as solar keratosis. I checked the internet and discovered the apple cider vinegar method of treatment. I applied a. C. V. Several times a day and drank a glass with one teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar each day. On the 11th day I noticed the scab – which had been becoming firmer, shrunken, then whitish, had dropped off, leaving just a pink mark.
I've not been back yet to find if there are any other suspicious patches, but none are visible, as far as I can see…
After asking my doctor to look at a rough patch on my face for 6 years, and dealing with his constant… don’t touch it and you’ll be fine, I treated my solar keratosis with Apple Cider Vinegar. I soaked a piece of cotton ball in it and placed it over my keratosis with a bandaid at night while I slept. The site I read up on said to do this for 3-4 weeks. After a couple of days it gets red and looks like a bee sting on your face. Then it begins to dry and crack, mine even bled a bit. I was going to give up but kept persevering. After the 3 week the dry scab fell off and my skin was completely smooth. I couldn’t believe it. the following summer I was in the sun and the spot began to reappear so I did it again only not as long. I think were people doubt this remedy if it is a solar keratosis is that they don’t do it long enough. Or they see it turning red or dry and stop. I think the key is to keep going for several weeks. I swear by it.
Biff
Hi all, , , I have a keratosis sore just above my upper lip. I have been applying ACV several times a day now for three weeks. Some days it bleeds (perhaps due to its location) but most of the time, it just scales over and starts all over again. The last couple of nights, I have placed a band aid over the sore after the ACV treatment, and left it over night. Today when I removed the band aid, all was removed, raw skin was exposed, and it (slightly) started to bleed a bit and harden once again. I am starting to see some improvement, with the band aid at night. Should I keep trying this? or do I need to search medical help? I prefer a natural treatment if at all possible. Thanks in advance.
PS, I am drinking it orally (1tbs a day)
I treated 10 actinic keratosis lesions that were in a 3″X4″ area on top of my head using apple cider vinegar. I slept every night with a stocking cap over duct tape holding a cloth soaked with ACV against the affected area. There was a very strong reaction. I felt a mild burning sensation every night, they turned red, repeatedly formed scabs, and gradually seemed to fade. The skin became smooth but the outlines of the lesions were still there.
As the first batch of AK’s faded, about 20 more AK’s of various sizes appeared within the same area, so I continued the treatment. ACV gently removes the outer layers of skin, and I otherwise wouldn’t have known that I had so many AK’s because they were hidden underneath the skin.
I continued the treatment every night for many weeks because I wanted to give it a chance to succeed. During that entire time the change was so gradual that I was never really sure if it was helping or not.
After 3 months the affected area looked so bad that I started wearing hats in public. At that point I decided to try something else. Within 48 hours of stopping the ACV treatment the smooth AK lesions became rough again indicating that ACV had no effect other than exposing AK’s that were previously hidden underneath the skin.
Did you also drink ACV to work on the issue from the inside out? If you put duct tape next to vinegar, the vinegar might be leeching chemicals from the duct tape, thus creating a less than ideal mixture for your skin.
I live in Mexico and cannot find good natural (with mother) vinegar. Will just regular vinegar that you use in cooking work as well? Trying it on keratosis and also several dark spots on face. Thanks so much.
Will begin a regimen of APV to address one stubborn spot of AK on left cheek; have also a spot on upper lip, but as has been my method for years, just keep scraping the small ones off, apply calendula or some other soothing ointment, and eventually the tiny ones go away. Was surprised that a month or so of mild dermabrasion with an OTC product actually worked on a problematic one on nose where my glasses rest–that one was stubborn.
I was diagnosed in August ’08 with solar keratosis on the top of my head. It was frozen off and reappeared. I tried castor oil from an Edgar Cayse remedy and it became scaly and fell off and grew back. This happened above 3 or 4 times. I started my research on natural remedies and began the internal and topical ACV 3 days ago. I was not sure it it was me wanted to beleive there is a change going on or if there really is one. It’s only been a few days..but my girlfriend said she noticed my face has a pink and healthy change. My hands began getting more supple as I had dry skin. The keratosis is not as scaly and a little smoother. I have also began a strict diet with juicing and basic supplements of c, zeolite, d, omega 3, and a multi. I will post again next week.
I would like to enthusiastically offer my support for apple cider vinegar in the cure of various skin ailments. WARTS: I dipped a very small piece of cotton in ACV, put this directly on the wart, then covered all with an air-tight bandage. I left on for c. 12 hours, then let the entire area breathe for 12 hours. I repeated for about 3 weeks, as this was a deep and large wart. The first 2 applications stung and throbbed a bit, but from then on, the entire enterprise was painless. The area eventually ulcerated–looks messy for a while–and painlessly peeled off. No more wart! As maintenance for about 3 more weeks, I dabbed a little ACV on the area, without bandage. The wart has not recurred after more than a year and a half! This really works, folks!
ACTINIC KERATOSIS: My dermatologist identified this on my skin just above my upper lip. She offered to burn it off with liquid nitrogen: no, thanks. I followed the same ACV routine, and it worked! Took a lot less time, as this keratosis was not deep.
BENIGN PAPILLOMA: I am currently eliminating a little bump from my nose that I’ve had for over 10 years: it is in the red and ulcerating phase and about to sluff off.
I am THRILLED with the way ACV works to remove skin ailments! This method is cheap, safe, and natural. The skin afterwards is perfectly healthy and not scarred: quite preferable to liquid nitrogen or fluorouracil-5 or other harsh chemicals. Try it!
My Dr. recommended the 5-fu for the solar keratosis on my face. I have 7 or so spots. I hesitated using the cream because of the pics and awful testimonials I read. Untreated and scared, I googled natural remedies for AK. I decided to try the apple cider vinegar so this is how I do it. 1. wash face air dry 2. apply Apple Cider Vinegar on a cotton pad rubbing over entire face and rub a little extra on spots 3. when skin stops burning, apply moisturizer. I use plain coconut oil at night, boy does it feel good and calms my skin. Day? I use a mild natural cream that is less greasy. After 3 weeks, my spots have sluffed off several times and are still not healed but I have seen 50% improvement. I will continue this process until the skin is all healed from this stuff. Maybe another 3 weeks! God forbid anyone use that 5-fu cream when there is a natural remedy that will leave our skin stronger and healthier! I'm a believer!!!
Thanks so much for the advice! I'm only 26 but found a small rough patch on my forehead (about the size of a pencil eraser) that fits the description for this condition. I'm red haired and very fair skin and live in California where I guess it's more common because of the constant sun. I'm going to try this treatment and hope it clears up in 4-8 weeks before dragging myself to the dermo. Time to start using that sun block religiously. I'm so glad I found this site. Will let you know my results.
Hi! I was wondering if you had success with ACV. I too am a redhead and I just started ACV on a patch on my cheek. I used tea tree oil but didn't do much.
Hi!!! .I have just started using the apple cider vinegar on the small spots on my nose. I originally tried Tea Tree oil but that didn't seem to help. Sometimes the scabs seem to come off on their own but they always come back so I'm trying this. How long should I expect this to take to work? I have also heard iodine works. I just don't want it cut off on my nose!!
Hi! Have you had any success with the ACV? I have been using tea tree oil and somedays it seems to look better than others my spot looks angry again.
Solar keratosis or actinic keratosis:
The following natural skin remedies completely failed to cure the solar keratosis on my forehead: calendula ointment, aloe vera gel, sea buckthorn ointment — all wonderful things for various other skin conditions, but didn’t do it for solar keratosis. Diclofenac ointment worked fairly well, but the keratosis came right back when I stopped the diclofenac and besides I’m not interested in using any drug, especially not long-term.
Then I read the comments at this web site on apple cider vinegar. I had some in the kitchen for use in a couple of pork recipes, so I tried it. I applied it topically to the keratosis morning and evening and took it internally (mornings-only) about 1 to 2 teaspoons in half a glass of water. Results: total magic, my forehead has not felt this smooth for several years.
Taking the vinegar internally probably has other advantages in terms of alkinizing the metabolism (it has an alkinizing effect even though it itself is acid — acetic acid).
PS: Since it is a liquid, not an ointment, applying it is a bit tricky; I put some in the cup of my hand and then dipped my head down into it.
I am 24 years old african american, women. In the past few years I had developed a thick crusty scaly dark-spot on my lower lip. I dont have insurance so I searched online to see what it might be after looking and looking and looking I found Actinic Keratosis and found out that that is what it was. I had tried every lip balm sun screen, vitamin E, flax seed, pealing it (which made it bleed) to get rid of it. Nothing worked and if it made a difference it was very short lived. Then I started looking into natural cures for it, I cam across this site which said to try apple cider vinegar. So I went to the health food store and bought the best Organic apple cider vinegar I could find. I chose _____ apple cider vinegar with the mother in it. (dont ask me what that means but that what it said on the bottle. Well I am VERY VERY Happy to report that IT WORKS. I took 1tsb at nite and 1tsb in the morning and now after 2 weeks it is completely gone!
Thank you so much YEA for your report, people were beginning to think I had herpes.
On Friday 14 September 2007 I went to the doctor. I’m 63. While there I asked him to take a look at my Knuckles on my left hand, which have had a rough dry scaly bumpy patch with a yellow white crust, which I have had for several years making my hand look pretty ugly. Nothing that I have tried could ever shift it. He said that it was Solar Keratosis (also known as an actinic keratosis) and gave me a computer print out article. He said that there was a slight chance that it could eventually turn into a skin Cancer called squamous cell carceinoma. I asked how to get rid of it and he listed: freezing it with liquid nitrogen, cutting it out or scraping it off under a local anesthetic, or using a creme or gel that could take up to three months to work and which may cause inflammation and blistering, or I could have Laser surgery or he could cauterize it with a searing hot iron or an electric current or use caustic burning substance. Uh-oh! When I got home I hit the internet quick smart and looked it up the malady on this and other sites. I then looked through my cupboards and found some Apple Cider Vinegar that my deceased wife had bought over 12 years ago. I tried some right away topically and went to the Health Food store and got some “fresh” ACV (imported from the USA) with the “Mother” in it. Today is the first of October (about two weeks later) and with 2 or 3 glasses a day of a ‘splash’ of ACV, bit of local honey and spring water from the supermarket plus a cotton bud tip as a device to put some of the old ACV on the knuckles, they are now completely clear! The skin is smooth, there’s no roughness and some other assorted skin irritations have cleared up as well. My usual ‘aches and pains’ are far less prevalent. I am also less “Down” and feel generally quite a bit more positive. Sleep is deeper and less disturbed with getting up in the night reduced to once or twice a night with some nights being slept all the way through. I also seem to have more energy and less appetitie (which is good as I am getting more girth with age)! I also have far less indigestion. The only “side effect” was a few whitehead pimples at the beginning few days, which I took to be my skin generally throwing off some bodily toxins. If I am having a so-called “placebo effect” or if some learned academic says that this is really only “mind over matter” or the “power of suggestive thinking”, or if someone says that my doctor “mis-diagnosed” me, well, I don’t care! The damn unsightly thing has disappeared, leaving me feeling much better all ’round! It is the cheapest and most effective alternative I have ever tried and I am pleased that I don’t have to undergo any painful or expensive chemical or surgical procedure (even though medical care is free for everyone in Australia). The ACV works for me! And for only a few cents a day of natural healthful ingredients. I can now gladly put my hand up as a happy ACV customer!
Solar Keratosis Remedies: I read the posts on this at this website and thought, 'What the heck, a gallon of Apple Cider vinegar costs $3. I'll give it a try and if it doesn't work, I'll use it to kill weeds.' Well, just like the guy said about the place on his hand, I had two places on my face with Actinic Keratosis that I've been trying to treat for years to no avail. Nothing would respond to them. Now, after 8 days of applying ACV topically and taking two tblspoons orally twice a day, they are gone. The skin has healed completely over. It's amazing. I might have spent hundreds of dollars to treat these at a clinic, when ACV did the trick in a few days. The most welcome and amazing 'cure' I've ever experienced. A big 'thank you' to this website for providing the information!
I had been reading about Iodine and how it could get rid of different skin lesions, so I decided to give it a try on several Sebaceous Keratoses on my torso, several quite large. It has worked wonderfully. It took about 2 weeks for them to go away, and I applied it 2x a day most days. I put it on with a q-tip and let it dry before getting dressed. I sometimes scratched them lightly first with a emery nail file before applying the iodine. I use the Lugols, because I also take it by drops internally each day.
I read on your site where it cured solar keratosis under a woman’s eye. I have had solar keratosis all over my legs and arms for years. I am fair skinned and grew up in the desert. Dermatologists told me there was nothing I could do to make them go away. Recently I decided to try ACV and to my astonishment they are just about gone. It is the most remarkable thing I have ever seen. I used to be embarrassed to wear shorts they were so bad. Now they are so close to being gone that I am now wearing shorts. I applied it directly to them twice a day. The smell does go away! It really does work. I am so thankful I read this woman’s article. Thank you.
I have been using apple cider vinegar to remove solar keratosis. I have hundreds of the little blighters on my arms and legs. I’ve been applying to one forearm to see if it works. Twice a day for two weeks now. They seem to be a bit redder but not gone.
I wondered how long it takes.
I had one particularly bad pink keratosis so I put a piece of cotton pad, soaked in the ACV, and left on overnight and it went very red and developed a scab and all the skin around it has gone red and rough. I have stopped giving it the intense treatment now and just waiting till it calms down.
I am also drinking about 2 desertspoons of the ACV in water two to three times a day.
I have read conflicting reports about ACV. I have had a sore throat for the last 24 hours and gargling the ACV with half ACV and half water.
It has definitely helped. I will keep you informed as to how I get on.
Cheers Gwendo
Hello again
I said I would update you on my use of apple cider vinegar for solar keratosis.
At this stage all of the keratoses on my forearm are very red and appear to be forming scabs. The one keratosis that was very bad to begin with is nearly gone.
There are light pink spots where keratosis that must have been under the surface of the skin are starting to show up. It has been nearly five weeks of twice a week application. Sometimes at night I just keep soaking my arm in the vinegar with a cotton pad. Maybe about four applications. I am also drinking about two tablespoons a day with water.
I will get back to you in three weeks time to let you know whether the keratosis are completely gone. I am very hopeful as I look at the changes in them.
It does take perseverance.
Cheers Gwendo.
Hi I have suffered with solar keratosis for 15yrs having biopsies on my nose, eye lids, which have been removed due to keratosis. I recently have had a bad outbreak on my lips and top lip, I have tried everything, and when I got on your site I read that people are using apple cider vinegar, I have started using it so hopefully this might work. Ive been in so much discomfort using the solaraze gel, it hurts, stings, and looks so ugly when your skin is peeling of. Has anyone else got any other remedies, I sure need them, Help
My doctor has a special 'freezing' clinic for solar keratosis. His nurse uses liquid nitrogen to freeze/burn off the lesions. They just then scab over and the eventual scar fades over time. I've just had my second lot done (52 of them) and it does feel like a lot of bee stings for a while, but that passes quickly enough. It only costs me $12, but I would pay more to get rid of the little blighters.
Ciao, Nick
Several weeks ago I re-read after many years, Dr. Jarvis’s book “Folk Medicine” in which he extolls the virtues of ACV. Being a Vermonter myself, I decided to try using it internally and externally. I had never used it regularly before. A very stubborn solar keratosis under my left eye is markedly better and on it’s way to disappearing completely (finally!). I had put vitamin e and other things on it to no avail. ACV is really doing the trick. In general, my facial skin is noticeably enhanced in smoothness and color. I have dark hair and fair skin, and have always looked like Morticia Adams.. .the ACV has given me more natural “blush” like the apples it’s made from. I have been taking about 2 tablespoons a day, and bathing in it several times a week. Great stuff! I have super long hair and it has made it very soft and enhances the natural wave when I use it as a final rinse.
Wow! After trying everything I could think of (sans surgery), including the useless diagnosis of FIVE different dermatologists… I finally am getting some RESULTS! The ACV (with the mother) is actually working! I have been applying ACV with a q-tip 5-10 x per day for 2 weeks to my quarter sized keratosis and it is gradually peeling off revealing my original skin underneath. The bright red color is fading and the dark defined edges are now blended into my own skin color. Absolutely a Godsend, after 10 years of embarrassment. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou!