Posted by Jessica90 (Toronto ) on 05/29/2017
★☆☆☆☆
I have been using ACV for 4 days now, morning and night soaking my hands in it. So far I haven't seen an improvement, if anything it might be getting worse. Does anyone know if I should continue using it or should I stop? I've read so many positive reviews of ACV helping eczema so I was really hoping I had finally found some relief but now I'm not sure what I should do.
Posted by Janelle (Grenport, Ny) on 01/09/2015
I'm sorry but do you drink the apple cider vinegar or do you use it topically?
Posted by Jessica (Florida) on 03/15/2016
This is for Mama to many,
Can you give borage oil capsules to children? If so how? I have tried borage oil lotion for my toddler not much relief.
Posted by Brandon Lee (Hong Kong) on 07/05/2015
Does it have to be apple cider vinegar? Can I use white vinegar as well?
Posted by Swati (Delhi) on 07/21/2016
★★★☆☆
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hi, I am also an indian. Recently got such itchy blisters omly on face. Applied ACV, which reduced it. But my skin looks very dark now. Pls tell me how soon can my skin regain its original colour.
Posted by Vincent Rosaldes (Manila, Philippines) on 07/22/2011
★★★★★
It's been more than a month now, and I've personally seen some significant improvements on my face. The flare ups are now very minimal and I can control them properly without using any steriods at all. This is actually my fourth day without any steriods.
So here's what I did:
1) I know this may be over the top, but I wash my face with distilled water to eliminate possible allergens using tap water. It did not do much during the first few days I started it, but it helped me factor out my reactions to stuff.
2) The moment I stopped using Cetaphil, which is my ONLY facial cleanser I use. My face improved tremendously. I dunno why though since Cetaphil is okay for sensitive skin.
3) I spray diluted ACV (just eyeball it not to be strong) on my face 2x a day. That's before I start my day and before I go to sleep. It smells a bit bad, but bearable. I'd rather have this than eczema. I let it air dry.
4) I use Physiogel AI Cream as a moisturizer. What it does is helps with the redness (AI == anti-inflammatory) and moistens your skin. I ordered Aveeno online, but it hasn't arrived yet. I'll probably try that sometime. My face has a bit of flakes, but it's not that noticeable anyway.
5) Continued eating healthy, drinking enough fluids, still taking the vitamins. I stopped going to the gym, since sweat or the stress in lifting weights do trigger the flare up, but I plan to go to the gym anytime soon, but gradually.
I hope this helps guys. Don't give up and try new things out (safe/natural of course). Cheers!
@Jay: I personally think it's okay, but make sure your hands are dry when you put on the moisturizing gloves.
Posted by Zsaqwe (Brownsville, Texas) on 10/12/2010
Justme, buy the gallon of ACV with mother. And mix anyway you can easily swallow. When the gallon is finish. It will take several months. And you are not cured then it amazingly did not work for you. I honestly doubt it. I had dermatitis for more than ten years. Three years ago I started applying ACV topically. About a month ago I started drinking it. For me it is fine to mix it with V8. I did it because I want to lose weight but it came with very nice side effects, like a lovely complexion all over and many others I already posted. Be patient.
Posted by Mary (Gloucester, Ma) on 12/22/2010
We too got a prescription for Elidel along with three others. We ripped up the prescription for Elidel after reading one of the major side effects was cancer. His Dermatologist had the nerve to tell us we should stop using organic coconut oil because he could develop and allergy. Needless to say we cancelled that follow up appointment and never returned.
Posted by Jim (Dublin, Ireland) on 02/05/2010
★★★★★
I had suffered badly from eczema when I was a baby. I had it on and off during my childhood and teens, but nothing too bad. In my twenties it was pretty much not there. Around three years ago (I'm in my early thirties now) it flared up in a big way. I had been trying to deal with it for the past three years and it was annoying but not debilitating. Then about 8 months ago it just started getting worse and worse to the point where I had to take time off work.
I tried cortisone cream and gave it up. I was moisturising with emollients all the time. I tried Chinese herbs and acupuncture, to no avail. Then I came across ACV here. From the first day I tried it I felt better -- I actually felt like a human being again. I was drinking two imperial tablespoons in hot water three times a day and putting it neat on my skin twice a day and letting it dry in and it felt great. I stopped using those horrible emollients which I finally realised are like plastic. I got some pure shea butter instead to put on my skin, as the ACV dried it out for the first two weeks or so and I thought it needed natural moisturisation.
After about two weeks it seemed that when I applied the ACV the eczema felt itchier immediately after (it stings also) but after half an hour that would go away. I could actually sleep through the night without being woken by it. And I felt better in many other ways too.
I've been using it now for the last two months and my eczema has got better and better to the extent that I can say it's cured my eczema. There are still patches that are dry and are prone to get a little bit itchy. So I'm continuing to take ACV, as well as eating well, drinking less alcohol and exercising more. I've been waiting for the day when I could write this, because my life was hell for a long time. Thanks earthclinic.
Posted by Soh (Adelaide, Australia) on 10/23/2009
★★★★★
I was at my wit's end with eczema and inflammed skin. I had deep cuts and bleeding cracks on my right hand. I followed Earth clinc's advise and applied ACV topically (store bought ACV) - it burnt but it stopped itching. I also started taking ACV internally twice a day (I do not mind the taste at all, I enjoy a glass of water with a tsp or two of ACV. Also, my headaches are gone and I feel refreshed and clear-headed and full of energy the whole day - we are talking peppy and clear headed after an 8 hour meeting here - the ACV is working wonders for me:)
I have not had an itching episode for over a week now...and slowly but surely the hand is healing. Thanks Earth Clinic :)
Posted by Kitty (Bellingham, WA) on 08/07/2008
★★★★★
ACV: At 59 last fall I got a case of eczema for the first time in my life on the calf of one leg Itched like crazy. It was an oozing mess for awhile. I was using hydrogen peroxide (oxygenated water) for awhile but it didn't help much. Then I tried ACV (I used _____ organic) and like someone else said it burned like crazy but from then on it started to heal. I just soaked a cotton ball with ACV and applied to my skin. I ran out of ACV and didn't use for a week and the eczema came back. Now 6 months later it is about all healed. Occasionally, it starts itching and I apply the ACV again and it stops the itching. Also I know I need to look at the underlying cause which is probably stress and too much sugar. I have been able to decrease both somewhat. Also when it was really bad honey helped (It was hard to take all that burning from the ACV on half of my calf) but honey is so messy. I used the top of an old sock to cover it and it did dry up the oozing mess and I could more easily apply the ACV (less burning) I always look for natural cures. I haven't been to a doctor in over 30 years.
Posted by Leslie (Oriental, North Carolina) on 07/03/2008
Hi! About two weeks ago I started taking acv. I take 1 tbsp in the morning, again at noon, and then again before bed (totaling 3 tbsps a day). I first drink several gulps of water, then take the acv like a shot, and follow with at least 8 oz of water. I've suffered from seasonal and indoor allergies since I was a child and about 4 days after starting the acv I had a horrible allery attack that lasted a little over 24 hrs. After the attack my right ear clogged up (I had been having problems with it for weeks) for 12 hrs or so. Then 5 days ago I had an eczema outbreak. At first it began on my chest, underarms, sides of and under my breasts. That cleared up and then it appeared on my wrists, knees, ankles, inner thighs, and the backs of my thighs. My eczema has always occured only on my hands and started after the birth of my son, it was severe for several years but then cleared up and has only popped up mildly since. The only other time I've had eczema on the rest of my body was last November after learning my mom had cancer and it cleared up after about three days. Anyhow since the allergy attack and clogged ear I haven't had any more problems and with the exception of the eczema I have felt great.
My question is could the acv be the reason I've had these symptoms and is it because it's flushing all the toxins from my body? Or could I be having some type of allergic reaction? The eczema is clearing up completely and I suspect will be gone in a day or so and I haven't sneezed once since the allergy attack a week ago. I'm really hoping this is just the course the acv can take you on, feeling worse before feeling better. I've also bathed in acv several times, maybe I over did it? Lastly I started taking filtered acv first because it was all I could find but for the last four days I've taken organic raw acv with the mother that I found at a health food store.
Sorry to be so long winded, I just wanted to be as detailed as possible! Thanks in advance for any feedback!
Posted by Max (Honolulu, Hi) on 05/22/2012
After using the ACV for about a week for eczema, I've noticed my skin has been getting flaky and redish. Is this a sign that it's working. This never happened to my skin before so I know its a direct reaction to the ACV. This is first time I'm using it too. Taking it orally 3 times a day maybe more at 2tbsp in water. I also have a burning sensation in my lips, mouth, and tongue, and even gastritis. I believe it is all related. Do you think the ACV regimen will help? GERD medicines didn't help me at all. Thanks.
Posted by Hana (Singapore) on 11/28/2011
★★★★☆
I'm on my second day of using ACV (I bath with 2 cups of ACV diluted in warm water and take two t/p diluted in warm water twice a day). It helps dry up my wounds so now all the red spots have become brownish. I hope I'll finally get rid of this unpleasant eczema.
BTW, I'm also using apple detox in addition to ACV. I eat only apples and drink purified water for 2 days. Today is my second day. I feel wonderful, energized and calm.
Great thanks to the folks who share your tips and the owner of this wonderful site.
Posted by Jay (New York, Ny) on 07/18/2011
Can you wear moisturizing gloves after putting ACV on your hands when going to bed?
Posted by Indiefem (Ottawa, Ontario) on 05/31/2011
★★★★★
For about 2 months I've had this large scaley dry patch of ezcema on my right upper arm. I didn't think anything of it for a few weeks, until I noticed it wasn't going away or getting any better. No amount of cortizone creams would help. Then I came across this website via YouTube and discovered the apple cider vinegar remedy. I went and purchased a bottle of pure raw and organic ACV (with mother) and began the ritual of drinking 2 tsp with 8 oz of water everyday and also dabbing the ACV straight on the inflamed patch of skin. Yes, it does burn at first, but this quickly subsides and after just 2 days the patch began to dry up and the dead skin cells started flaking off. I made sure to moisturize with a beeswax balm as well. I can that just after 4 days the ezcema is completely gone from my arm. The skin underneath the patch is a bit darker than the rest of my arm, but it is slowly fading and I'm sure it will be gone within a few weeks. So, yes folks ACV does work for eczema and apparently a host of other ailments. Nothing like mother nature!
Posted by Sasha (Kailua, Hawaii) on 03/26/2011
★☆☆☆☆
I am in my early-mid twenties. A few years ago I began to have eczema on my throat area and eyebrow/upper eyelid area. I started taking apple cider vinegar when I heard that it is alkalinizing although I didn't specifically have my eczema in mind, just general health. I started small, taking just a few drops in a glass of water every time I drank water and over the course of several months worked it up to one or two caps full of ACV. I did this for about a year religiously. During this time my eczema continued to get worse and at times it was so bad that I felt like I wanted to rip the skin off of my neck. I did a lot of scratching and it would bleed and weep fluid sometimes.
After about a year of taking ACV I slacked off and stopped taking it for about three months and it occured to me then that the eczema was gone! Was it a coincidence? I don't know, I wonder if I should have been taking it with baking soda, perhaps my body didn't have the reserves to convert the ACV to alkaline? Needless to say, I haven't taken ACV since then and also haven't had problems with eczema again until just two weeks ago (two or three years later). I've had a terrible cold for months and I think it's probably from my lowered immune system. I also have a urinary tract infection for which I have been taking baking soda and I'm curious to see if it will have any affect on my eczema. It is helping the UTI tremendously, but it's still too early to tell what affects it is having on the eczema, the eczema is continuing to get worse at this point but I am looking forward to a week or two from now to see what the results will be if any.
Posted by Lauren (Bracebridge, Ontario Canada) on 03/04/2011
Well its been three days of usage and the eczema is calmed down a lot, my lips are still somewhat dry, but the rashyness and split corners of my mouth have subsided greatly! I am so happy and not in pain. I will continue to treat with ACV every day and hope to report back in a few weeks that it is completely healed, and I have also been applying it as a toner, my skin looks and feels wonderful. This may be the best discovery ever! Thank you mother nature and thanks Earthclinic!
Posted by Beentheredonethat (Ballentine, Sc) on 05/14/2011
Hope your lips are better. I have had eczema like this on my lips for years and recently begun putting grape seed oil on at night and in am and it amazingly absorbs fast and leaves face and lips Hyderabad and smooth. I also take Apple Cider Vinegar but also cranberry seed oil. With amazing results. Hope this helps.
Posted by Muniba (Urbandale, Iowa) on 12/14/2011
To: Lauren from Bracebridge, Ontario Canada
Loren for cracks in corners of yor mounth, you need to take B-vitamins (mega B) PLUS B-6 AND B-12 in capsules
Molybden (cure from Ted) and brush your teeth and tongue with BS (baking soda)
It helped me a lot, do not have cracks in corners of my mouth.
Posted by Lauren (Bracebridge, Ontario Canada) on 03/02/2011
★★★★☆
I have been battling really annoying eczema on my lips for the past three months. Its possible that I have angular cheilitis as well because the corners of my mouth have been cracked and sore. I hadn't had eczema in years, but burned my lips badly over vacation and since then the eczema has flared up.
Tried treating it myself with various lipbalms, vaseline, even olive oil, nothing worked. Dr. prescribed cortizone which only made the itching stop temporarily, every 4 or 5 days the rash would come back. And if I ate certain foods (anything spicy or sour) it would flare up again. I was becoming hopeless and frustrated and then I remembered this site. I cant say yet is ACV is going to heal the problem forever but I can say that its feeling much better and I have only been using it for one day so far. I am drinking 2 glasses of water with 2 tsp. of ACV, and I am also applying it topically mixed with water on a cloth and just letting it rest on my mouth. It is not itchy, and the corners are healing up. I am still using a lip balm n between just to avoid licking, but so far this is looking promising! I just find it shocking that vinegar can actually make a rash feel better, you'd think it would be the opposite! Anyway, wish me luck.
Posted by Sammy Itches (Lawrence, Ks, United States) on 12/17/2010
★★★★★
Having an eczema flare up and the hydrocortisone cream isn't working, can't find what is left of my prednisone prescription [I am that desperate so I remembered the ACV cure I had started last summer. I took two tablespoons and within 15 minutes the itching is completely gone. I checked this site to find out if the dosage I took was correct and found this forum and thought I would give my testimonial for ACV. I use organic raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar from the health food store and keep it in the fridge. It was about 5.00$ for a Med. Size bottle. It helps A LOT! I am a total believer. I hope this helps a fellow sufferer find relief.
Posted by Just Me (New York, United States) on 10/12/2010
I have read all the testimonies on this page and decided that I would give this a try. I have mixed the Apple Cider Vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle and spray it on after showering twice a day. I have also been taking a cap full of it internally. Since doing so my eczema has flared up more than it ever has and the itching is unbearable. I've had sleepless nights because of it and it's been 4 days already. I can feel the skin softening a little bit but I'm not sure if it is working. Can someone help me PLEASE! I don't know how much more of this I can take.
Posted by Just Me (New York, United States) on 10/20/2010
Ok, thanks a lot. I bought the Apple Cider Vinegar with mother..... How much of it should I be drinking a day?
Posted by Robert B. (Los Angeles, California, Usa) on 01/31/2016
Hi Susan, thank you for posting your positive results using acv.
My hands are a mess from eczema similar to what you had I think. It's been about a month or so since it started. The hands even swell up sometimes. I'm using Apple Cider Vinegar on my arms and legs which have developed psoriosis recently, only a couple of days so far (they seem to be getting slightly better), but haven't tried it on my hands yet. I will start soon. I tried some steroid cream on the hands, it helps but when I stopped the hands got worse. My hands have small cuts, swollen slightly , painful, red, dry, etc. Susan I was thinking of buying a lotion, all natural, any thoughts on lotions, do you apply them right after you the Apple Cider Vinegar has dried on your skin or maybe later? Thanks Susan, wish me luck.
Posted by Parshel (Surrey, Bc Canada) on 07/10/2010
Ok so I have had eczema on my arms and legs since I was born. I'm 17 and about 2 years ago everything stopped and my eczema was gone but, then 6 months ago it started and this time on my face and neck! It was so bad, too. My whole face would be red and looked so raw it was really, really bad and actually still is. So I've been reading all these and about 3 days ago I started using ACV, the natural raw stuff. Umm, nothing yet really. Everything's exactly the same but I am gonna wait for a week before I give up on it. Today I went to my health food store. Seroiusly, all of you should go to one if you have one near you because if you ask them they will give you so much information it's crazy. So she gave me some drink and I'm gonna try it and see how it works. I am 17 and it's so sad like I changed into a different person when this started I don't like to look at people and hate when people talk to me. I stay at home, don't even go out with my boyfriend that much anymore. I'm just so embarrassed and I really hope these things will help we'll just have to see. Good luck to everyone and their eczema
Posted by Sean (Galway, Ireland) on 05/30/2010
★★★★☆
Just started using acv for eczema which had afflicted me for years now and the results are staggering. Had been previously using steroid creams for the condition but they only offered short-term respite. anyway, while the acv caused quite a stinging effect initially, it has allowed me some interrupted sleep for the first time in years. thanks for the advice.
Posted by Jojo (Rockland, Ny) on 05/21/2010
Thank you all for your stories. I am 54 and developed asthma only five years ago (allergy related). In the last six months eczema began. I started using the doctors hydrocortisone creams for relief, and I knew I needed to do something different if I want a cure.
I am happy to have stumbled on this site. I started the ACV 5 days ago, and the only thing that happened so far is that the itch is relieved temporarily. The sores have grown, and i don't know if i should go back to the medicine that the doctor gave me, or should i wait this out. Yesterday I read this article and bought baking soda which I used twice today with the acv. It was much easier to swallow, but I'm afraid I may be allergic to acv, did anyone ever hear of that?
thank you for posting your experiences.