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.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jackiesprat (Los Angeles) on 09/03/2016
★★★★★
I was diagnosed with a Seborrhoeic Keratosis by a dermatologist. She said there was nothing she could do aside from surgery that would scar and it was benign. I went to Earth Clinic and found someone who applied Apple Cider Vinegar 3-5 times a day. I poured some Apple Cider Vinegar in a widemouth jar and put q-tips nearby it so whenever I passed it, I'd apply it. Applied Apple Cider Vinegar 3-8 times a day. The first 2-3 weeks, there were times it sort of itched and I would scratch it and pull off a layer of skin. I applied undiluted apple cider vinegar and it stung a bit, then as the weeks went on, there would be no stinging. I think this is when it was fully gone. I still apply the ACV just in case, but I see no more seborrheoic keratosis. I love Earth Clinic and am so thankful for other people's experiences, other wise I'd have some big ol' growth on my face.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Glenys (Tas) on 08/24/2016
I find ACV (with 'The Mother') works very well with thick crusty ones but not well with paler, less crusty growths. Not nice are they?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Emily (Los Angeles) on 07/31/2016
Did you use a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar over the area?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teriinttown (Tacoma, Wa) on 07/20/2016
I had a mess of these in the small of my back that had been there a long time, and the population continued to grow. I became aware of the extent of the problem after pictures from a recent trip to Hawaii.
I tried many of these remedies and found these things simply would not go away. It is difficult to treat the small of your own back, too, so perhaps my application was not sufficient. The more I treated them, the more my back itched, but they still wouldn't go away. I finally got rid of all of them at once with a deep chemical peel. Amazingly, the peel didn't hurt very much, and only on the few good patches of skin left.
I did tons of research on these things and here is why I believe they often appear on the back, hairlines, bra lines and places like that. These things are dead tissue: skin cells mixed with oils that are not sufficiently exfoliated, and that is why they appeared so prolifically, and only, in the small of my back where it is impossible to scrub with any real pressure.
I believe a body salt scrub at an Asian spa every couple of months will prevent these going forward. (Once the skin has completely healed from the chem peel.) Perhaps that is why many Asian women engage in this ritual regularly and we probably all should.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jennifer (Northern Ireland) on 06/12/2016
★★★★★
My seborrhoeic keratosis appeared over a few weeks, then over 3 weeks became more puffy and was changing colour daily. It became black and was really ugly! It was on the side of my head and could be seen when I wore my hair up. I was really worried and horrified! I paid £150 for a private consultant to look at it. She said that for a further £450 she could cut it off. It would however scar and hair may not grow. Since she said it wasn't sinister I decided to wait for my nhs appointment. Even though I drink apple cider vinegar in boiling water every morning, I was sceptical and scared! Anyway I did it for an hour the first night to check for irritations then followed it with 3 overnight soaks. I am absolutely amazed and delighted!!! It is slightly red and a tiny bit is still there. I am going to do another night. I only used apple cider vinegar. It was enough. I cannot believe it!!! Thank you so much! ðŸ‘ðŸ‘ðŸ‘😊😊😊
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teriinttown (Tacoma, Wa) on 05/27/2016
★★★★★
My Irish Dad, was covered with these barnacles (seborrheic keratosis) of all colors. I was horrified when a first large black one appeared on my back. Earth Clinic to the rescue! I used apple cider vinegar 2 or three times a day for about 5 days and the thing just peeled off like a sticker leaving nice clean skin underneath. My advice is maintenance. Use ACV as soon as they appear before you look like the bottom of a barge.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Njd (Nj) on 04/16/2016
★★★★★
Just adding my results here for anyone interested. I had a seborrheic keratosis on the side of my head. It first appeared out of nowhere about 1.5 years ago as what looked like a small flat discoloration (light brown). Over the course of 1.5 years it slowly grew in size, eventually became raised, and the color turned from light brown to dark brown. Like many seborrheic keratosis, it was also bumpy. I went to two dermatologists within a 1 year span to get opinions. The first one said not to bother with it unless it bothered me (at that time it didn't bother me, but as it grew to about 2cm in dia and became darker/raised, it did bother me). The 2nd dermatologist wanted to cut it off. Both said it would scar if cut off and I would not have hair regrowth in that area. It didn't seem to bother them, because they wouldn't be the ones walking around with a nickel sized bald spot on the side of their head. Neither suggested freezing it, or any other alternatives. Cutting/removing was the only way.
Frustrated, I came online to look for remedies. I tried tea tree oil, and that appeared to be working, but it was a VERY slow process. I read on this site about the Apple Cider Vinegar, so that morning I stopped at ShopRite and got a bottle of (their brand, $1.49) ACV. I dipped a q-tip in it and applied it when I could, but on average probably 3-5 times a day.
Literally, within 3 days the seborrheic keratosis had dried up into a scab-like form. By the end of the 3rd day it was partially peeling already. After 5 days, with my help, it came off completely. After, I did scrub it while in the shower to make sure it was all gone. What was left underneath was a reddish spot. At that time I stopped the ACV and switched to Neosporin twice daily. Today is the 8th day since I began with the ACV. The spot is healing nicely. It is still pink/reddish, but I imagine that will take a while to blend in. Will keep an eye on it, but I think I am cured. Very relieved as I will not be losing a chunk of my hair, and the unsightly growth is gone! Hopefully this helps someone else out there! No more anxiety of having to have a bald spot on the side of my head!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rick (Potomac, Md) on 11/19/2015
★★★★★
Seborrheic Keratosis:
I had a spot about the size of a half dollar, raised 1/4 inch, on my temple under my hairline. I had a much smaller spot on the other side of my temple, but since it was under my hairline I didn't worry about this one. I have oily skin and play a lot of tennis and the spots occurred right where my cap fit an inch above eye level - coincidence? Maybe irritated the hat? I now try to play without a hat if possible.
After reading many posts on the subject I started using Apple Cider Vinegar on October 13, 2015 three times per day diluted 1:1 with no bandaid - I just blotted it. The progression went to the size of a quarter, then nickle, dime, and it disappeared completely on November 17. This is after a liquid nitrogen treatment a year ago did nothing. Great stuff and only cost $1.25! What a safe, easy, and inexpensive way for getting rid of it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Judy (Dallas) on 10/31/2015
★★★★★
I hope people find this helpful. I definitely have Seborrheic Keratosis (SK). My dermatologist freeze them when I go to her, but that gets to be expensive.
I have tried various other treatments including Compound W Freeze Away (with some success), Glycolic Acid (with little success) and H202 35% (little success, but I probably dilute it took much).
Thanks to this forum on Earth Clinic, I tried ACV to see if it has any effect on the SKs. Some have been stubborn but many have actually have gone away. The one's that are gone became irritated, developed small scabs, and eventually were gone.
I cut cotton pads to the size of the SK. Soak it in ACV and then use a bandaid to secure over-night. The largest one took about 7-10 days to remove completely.
It may not work for everyone and on every SK but I am encouraged right now.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dd (Olympia, Wa) on 10/26/2015
★★★★☆
I have a compromised immune system and started breaking out with Seborrheic Keratosis when I was about 55. I am now 64 and they have spread on my back, neck, face edge, few on back of legs, under eyes on cheekbone and forehead, few on upper arms. The only thing that has helped them so far is Apple Cider Vinegar, which I now spread on the affected areas right after I bathe or shower. Then I let it air dry. What this has done is keep it controlled, many have shrunk. Less spreading now, thank goodness. I wonder if we did treat internal fungus if it would help. I know I have issues with Candidiasis and have ate too much sugar in my life. Wish more testing was done, instead of just labeling it an old person disease and "tough luck." I wonder if it is an accumulation of too much sugar in the diet and it has finally gone cellular? Needs further studies.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Angie (Northeast Georgia, Usa) on 08/14/2015
★★★★★
Had what I thought was a mole growing on my areola a couple of years ago, but then it started getting "crusty"...so I went to dermatologist and was told that it was a seborrheic keratosis, and not to worry about it......so I started researching. I wasn't going to have a third nipple, no sirree.
I made up my own concoction. It had apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, lavender oil, oregano oil, geranium oil, olive oil, and witch hazel, which just helps blend the oils with the vinegar (you still need to shake the bottle before using) *--special note--*if you are going to mix some up, just do your own research on diluting essential oils)--Since it was in that special area, I would just put some on a cotton ball, at the very least, twice a day, and sometimes up to four times a day, and my bra would keep it in place. I'd just leave it there, until the next application. I did that faithfully for three months (give or take a week), and it is gone, gone, gone...it has been gone for over a year, and hasn't showed any signs of coming back yet. I don't know if I was misdiagnosed or not, but I did a lot of research on the subject, and it certainly looked like one as well.
I hope this helps anyone who is looking for a natural way to get rid of these barnacles. You'll have to be patient and faithful, though...it's not an overnight cure.
If you have just one or just a few on your back, I would say use the cotton ball method with some skin tape, or put it on a band-aid--and do it at bedtime, so it soaks in throughout the night. I don't know that I have any super ideas for trying to get rid of big numbers of them at one time that is going to be cost-friendly, as the only thing that comes to mind is soaking a towel in the mixture and sleeping on it (with a plastic sheet to protect mattress).
P.S. It does get a little itchy (nothing you can't handle, though), but that's how you know it's working!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Juniper (West Midlands England) on 06/17/2015
★★★☆☆
I have had these things since I was 40. I'm getting more and more of them as I age. I never sunbathe and have them in places the sun would never reach. Coincidentally my husband has them too which made me ask my doctor if they were contagious but he assured me they are not. My mum never had the, nor did my dad. I've tried oils, creams and ACV - the ACV worked best but didn't get rid of them.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Egan (Va) on 01/26/2015
★★★★★
Seborrheic Keratosis: I've been using ACV daily for about 3 weeks now - about 4 times a day. The acid dries up the bump and now it's starting to harden to where I can pick off the scab that's forming. I should be more patient and just keep applying ACV via a q-tip, rather than trying to peel it off.
Delighted this works, after trying lemon, coconut oil, yogurt, witch hazel and one expensive cream that I returned to Amazon.
Tips:
By using a q-tip swab, make sure the end is soaked with ACV then apply it just to the bump, otherwise, the skin that is not affected will dry out too. Add ratio of 1:1 water and be careful not to get near eyes. I would not use a band-aid unless you can isolate the ACV just to the affected area b/c the acid sensitizes other parts of your skin at the same time.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marinne (Uk) on 12/20/2014
★★★★★
I have to sing the praises of Apple Cider Vinegar. I had a keratosis on my face for years and it really bothered me. My GP told me it was what happens with age and to live with it. Then I discovered this website and tried the ACV treatment. I soaked a piece of cotton wool in neat ACV and taped it on my face overnight. I removed it in the morning. it started to go a bit blacker and chip off and then eventually after about 3 months of doing this daily it disappeared. I felt liberated from my barnacle. I wonder why GPs don't know about these things? When I told my GP, he said there aren't any studies on the use of ACV so he couldn't recommend it even if he knew about it. it annoys me pharmaceutical companies dictate healthcare and limit us. I'm so glad to have found this site!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Linda (Oh) on 07/31/2014
This does work, however, it stings and itches a lot! Worth it though! I'm glad to read only 2 hours at a time, I was letting it set for 12 hours!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mark (Chicago) on 04/16/2014
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar got rid of my seborrheic keratosis. I took a cotton ball and dipped it in ACV then taped it to my arm for 2 hours about 5 times per week. Within 4 weeks it was half the size it used to be. Within 8 weeks it was completely gone. It's been over 3 months and it's still completely gone!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Melanie (Louisville, Ky) on 01/11/2013
★★★★★
Seborrheic Keratosis natural cure: I got rid of this pea sized scailey spot on my face by using a cotton swab dipped in apple cider vinegar and dabbing it on the spot for only a couple of minutes each time. I have done this only 3 times (3 nights in a row) and it's nearly gone! In the morning I use antibiotic cream to calm the redness and this ugly thing is going away. I had it frozen off several years ago but it came back. Try the apple cider vinegar, I promise you it will work. It stings only slightly but keep at it, it will scab over and shrink away in less than a week!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Teri (Tacoma, Wa, Usa) on 08/04/2011
★★★★★
I have used Apple Cider Vinegar with great success. I simply apply it with a Q-tip twice a day and let it dry. Some peel off in two days, some take longer. It leaves pink skin behind that heals pretty quickly. Good luck
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Erin (Tampa, Fl Usa) on 06/28/2011
★★★★☆
I read on a message board that some other people had great success using ACV on their lesions. They used full strength ACV soaked into a cotton ball and held onto the lesions with bandaids, and said that their lesions fell off in two days. I tried it myself using ACV with the mother still in it. My lesions flattened out considerably, and both scabbed and partially fell off in three days, but the entire lesion didn't fall off on either site. A second treatment might finish the job. One thing to be aware of if you try this is that you have to be highly tolerant of the smell of vinegar, because it will not dissipate when it's held onto your skin in this way.
