Turmeric for Folliculitis

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.

36 User Reviews

5 star (30) 
  83%
4 star (5) 
  14%
1 star (1) 
  3%

Posted by Pratibha (Banglore, India) on 03/08/2012
★★★★★

Try out applying hot water with salt. It really works, I tried. And also have a glass of water with turmeric daily which purifies the blood.


Turmeric
Posted by Littlelebowskiurbanachiever (Central Va, Virginia) on 02/02/2012
★★★★★

My folliculitis appeared about 2 months ago on my stomach and eventually moved down to my inner thighs. While it is a relatively mild case compared to some cases I have read about on here, it is still extremely itchy, distracting, and sometimes painful.

I drank two mugs of water with about a spoonful of turmeric powder in each as well as soaked a cloth in organic apple cider vinegar and turmeric which I left on my thighs overnight. Last night was the first night in which I tried these remedies, and I am already seeing very noticable improvement even just this morning. I had discoloration on my hips that virtually has gone overnight, and the rash, while still a bit itchy, looks a whole lot better. I only have one zit-like bump, and that has become significantly less swollen. I have read/been told that turmeric can make your stomach upset. I have not felt any discomfort but I did drink it after I had already eaten something both times. Definitely would recommend trying this one out! Very amazed at the quick results, hopefully it continues to work as well.

Replied by Jill
(La)
10/04/2015
★★★★★

I went to the pharmacy and I looked for some type of herbal supplement to give me natural energy that I just dont have at all! Well I found the very best multivitamin ever!! They are whole food multivitamins, with fruits, vegetables and herbs. I have also struggled with foliculitis on both my legs, mms y entire life. I also have Multiple Sclerosis, so I needed the vitamins. When I started my regimen of the whole food multivitamin, turmeric and omega 3 krill oil every morning for 1 year, the foliculitis is completely gone and has not returned since!! :-) Thank goodness because I never wore a pair of shorts! Ever! Now I wear them everyday!


Turmeric
Posted by Dan (Oakland, California, Usa) on 12/19/2011
★★★★★

I've had folliculitis for 7-8 years now, mainly in the groin area. It is maybe a bit more mild than some other cases I've read about here, but annoying nonetheless. A while back I went on antibiotics but it always recurred. Hardly a day has gone by without at least a pimple or two being present, and hardly a few days without one forming pus. I'd frankly resigned myself to living with it, but then I read this forum and decided to try vinegar. The vinegar didn't really help.

The turning point was a month ago when despite my skepticism, I decided to try turmeric capsules on a daily basis. Since then things have cleared up remarkably. It isn't completely gone, but I think reduced at least 75%.


Turmeric
Posted by Jeff (Brisbane, Australia) on 10/26/2011
★★★★★

Hi folks, I have had folliculitis mainly on the scalp and hair line (owww! ) for 10-11 years and have been on prescribed antibiotics several times. The antibiotic treatment was less successful each time and the relief from the ailment at the last prescription was less than two weeks after the full course was taken.

I was so happy when I found this website and read so many stories similiar to mine; relief is at hand!

My approach to defeating this malady was a three pronged attack:

1. Wash hair with anti-bacterial soap;

2. Apply ACV (pew!) or anti-bacterial alcohol solution liberally to whole of scalp;

3. One teaspoon of turmeric disolved in water, drink and enjoy.

Repeat twice daily if necessary, be persistent and victory over this painful and embarrasing affliction will be yours!!!


Turmeric
Posted by Jack A. (Houston, Texas) on 09/05/2011
★★★★★

Turmeric works great, it took awhile for it to work, but did the Trick. I have had scalp folliculitis for about 8 years. It was the worse, I had scabs and painfull bumps on my head, that left scars. I often felt bad, but thankfully I found this website and gave Turmeric a try. I Have been using Turmeric capsules for about a month, with the spice. I put it in the water I drink my pill with, why not, But Today I am Glad to say My folliculitis is gone, not one sign of it. The antibiotics my doctor give me though the years, just made me feel worst. Also I have used Selsun Blue with 3% Salicylic Acid, It also helps. After suffering for so many years its good to feel normal.

Good Luck To all You who suffer from This

Jack. A

Replied by Sherifat
(Ga)
04/26/2017

Did you suffer from scaring of the follicles and did your hair grow back....i just started the turmic treatment and I want to know if your hair grew back normal...and did it go away completely...

Replied by Johnathan
(Memphis, Tennesee)
08/20/2017
2 posts

Does is still work? I hear alot of people talk about immediate short term results and I'm wondering does it lose its affectiveness over time or do you still use it?


Turmeric
Posted by Thirtysomthing (Los Angeles, Ca) on 06/03/2011
★★★★★

My History: I have had scalp folliculitis for the last couple of years. It begain as just one pimple on my scalp near my hairline near ear. Then it progressed to spreading to the back of the head and then to the sides of the head. At first I would get one every month or so. I went to the dermatologist and was told I had scalp folliculitis and put on minocycline for one month. This cleared up the folliculitis right away. Also told to use salicyclic acid shampoo. But about one week after I stopped taking the antibiotic it came back except worse. Now I would get the pimples more often and they were bigger and more painful. So painful infact that I had to stop wearing hats. And I always have to be mindful when laying down due to the pain by resting your head on one of these tender areas.

Back to the derms office and now I was given the another round of antibiotics, Dicloxicillin. This also cleared up the folliculitis, but as before the folliculitis came back worse about 2 weeks after being off antibiotics. Now I was getting 2-5 pimples/boils a day. Determined to get back to the days when I had a healthy scalp I found this website and decided to try the remedies here. I didn't know what worked so I tried everything.

First I tried soaking my scalp in dilute vinegar solution. This helped relieve the itching but I still got the pimples. The vinegar does not smell very good, unless you love the smell of vinegar potato chips. And it burns if it gets into your eyes. Difficult to keep in place on your scalp.

Then I tried the following: Tea Tree oil after blow drying my hair dry after showers. Usually I don't ever touch the blow dryer as I normally wear my hair short and just let it air dry. My understanding wife helps me apply the tea tree oil. As it is almost impossible to see the back of your head from a mirror. I also began using neosporin on the active pimple/boils. In addition I took turmeric shots everyday (a tablespoon of tumeric in a little bit of water). Eventually I switched to the tumeric pills, they are much better. I changed my pillow case nightly. Actually I use clean t-shirts as pillow cases. I have more t-shirts then I have pillow cases.

It has been 2 and half weeks and the result is quite amazing. The folliculitis is nearly gone. I have been getting less pimples. This week I didn't have one. It feels like I am on antibiotics but I am not. Also I am not getting the nausea or having to stay out of the sunlight like while on antibiotics. My wife says that my scalp looks less red and she sees no more pimples. It looks and feels like its healing.

Thanks for everyone sharing their experiences. I am the happiest man. Now I will just keep it up and keep my fingers crossed. Hopefully this is behind me.

Replied by Thirtysomething
(Los Angeles, Ca)
06/07/2011
★★★★★

Update on previous posting: In my last posting I forgot to mention that I also have been using non-comedogenic antibacterial soap instead of regular shampoo and conditioner. This is a mild soap that does not seem to dry out my scalp as much as the acidic shampoo the derm. gave me. Either way my scalp is still feeling great. Folliculitis is pretty much gone. I am cautiously optimistic about it not returning (fingers crossed and knocking on wood). Hopefully this will help someone else in cyberland.


Turmeric
Posted by Oscar (Irving, TX) on 01/23/2009
★★★★★

I'm so happy because finaly you gave the solution for my folliculitis and YES IT WORKS Turmeric is the Solution. I've been living with this horrible desease since I was 21 and for more than 15 year I was struggling with this and now I feel so good and my life has changed forever. Thanks to Earth Clinic.


Turmeric
Posted by Elizaberh (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) on 09/13/2008
★★★★★

I've had recurring folliculitis (staph) for over a year. I also tend to get urinary tract infections quite often. I got so tired of having to go through the whole doctor's appointment rigamarole, so I started perusing this website for help. Yesterday I started the turmeric remedy, and I am already seeing results. I used the basic suggestion:

1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 cup warm water

The turmeric is absolutely disgusting, but it seems to be working. I've also tried mixing it with cranberry juice and grapefruit juice instead, and it was a small improvement. I also tried the suggestions using baking soda topically: Mix baking soda, water and vitamin E to make a paste, apply it to boils to "draw out" the infection.
It's hard to say how effective this was, but the baking soda paste did seem to absorb something from the boils, and dried them a little. I'm so grateful to have found a natural cure for these infections, since the vicious cycle of antibiotics seems to just make bacteria stronger. Thanks to all the testimonies and suggestion!


Turmeric
Posted by Jay (Laurel, MD) on 07/31/2008
★★★★★

I am a 24yr old black male. I have suffered from minor to severe boils for 3+ years now. I've been to the emergency room almost 10 times and was hospitalized for 3 days and given antibiotics through IV due to a large boil that covered most of my jaw area. I've had boils pretty much everywhere...inner thigh, inner buttocks, underarms, beard area. I've taken several antibiotics which have mostly helped with healing but no prevention (dicloxacillin, cephlex, ciprfloxacilin etc..). I was scared and ran tests (aids, cancer etc.) The doctors came to the conclusion that a have a chronic case of folliculitis. I could have saved thousands of dollars and extreme pain if I had found this site a long time ago. TURMERIC WORKS! I can't believe it, what are the doctors doing and why havent they picked up on it because I have seen 3 dermatologists and 3 different doctors...all had the same responses and recommendations for medication, which never successfully supressed my outbreaks. Never mentioning turmeric. I started taking the spice with water Since i've been taking turmeric i havent had 1 boil and I am amazed. Even when i do feel a sensitive area trying to form it usually goes away in 24-48 WITHOUT swelling and opening!!! If there's anyone that has experienced remotely to what I have with boils know how painful they are and how big they can get. Words cannot explain how happy I am that i found a SPICE that in my book has damn near cured my situation. Even scarring on my face from past boils is going away. Words cannot explain how happy I am. Also, in my case, i no longer eat spicy foods because I realized that after eating too much I would feel boils trying to form. If you've yet to try turmeric or have a boil right now and cant deal with the pain. I've found that taking alleve helps the most (muscle relaxer/pain reliever). WAY better than aspirin. So until I find this i dont need to take turmeric to prevent boils...I will be taking them forever.

-Jay

Replied by David
(Bayamon, P.R.)
04/07/2009

Teatree Oil, T gel Shampoo still hasnt cured my folliculitis. Ive tried many things for my scalp folliculitis. Oral Antibiotics that helped just temporarily, and lots of different types of shampoo. I really am glad to have found this website. I just read about Turmeric, and i think im going to give it a try. But i know nothing about it. Is it a cream, is it a spice to mix it with water and drink it, is it pills? Ive had folliculitis about a year and a half, had to stop working cause of it, it was to embarrasing having it. I have it on my scalp. The worst thing that has happened to my, but now i read this webiste and it looks as theres a lot of things i havent tried. This really gives me hope. Thanks to everybody for the information.

Replied by Victoria
(Chaplin, Ct)
04/15/2010

when I take the organic tumeric that I had in my cupboard, I put it in raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar and chugged it down, it wasnt too bad!!! Both so good for you. I just started it, so havent seen any results yet, but I cant wait and anticipate the healing!!! :)

Replied by April
(Columbus, Ohio)
07/31/2011

How do you prepare and use the tumeric? Orally or as a sab? Are the pills effective as well?

Replied by Armando
(Mexico)
10/04/2014

I'm amazed by your story, I been struggling with scalp follicullitis, went through 5 dermathologist and now I can't wait to try this one. You just bought raw and eat like that? Please advise me. Greetings!

Replied by Antonio
(North Carolina)
06/05/2017
★★★★★

I've had much success with turmeric also!!! Must take everyday though!! So glad I've found something that helps! Acv baths, and benzoyl peroxide wash helps also along with plenty of water, and teas!!!! 😀😀


Turmeric
Posted by Deborah (Digby NS, Canada) on 06/23/2008
★★★★☆

I've been diagnosed with first of all, dermatitis on my left buttock for which the doc prescribed a steroid ointment, which didn't do much. Then another doc diagnosed folliculitis and prescribed micocylcine, which makes me terribly sick. I was searching your web site and decided to try the turmeric powder. There was a marked improvement and then what was about the size of a quarter escalated to a small grapefruit, spread down through my groin area and rectum. I'm now trying tumeric, baking soda and also acv and also a lot of prayer. Also, bathed in a full hot tub with 1/2 cup of bleach this morning. It felt great and I actually felt clean for the first time in a long time. I do have some relief today as I type this and I'm looking forward to seeing an even smaller patch tomorrow. No boils per se, just what looks like a red plateau on my buttock with a couple of red pimples. My last doc said it was not contagious, but I do believe that it is. It has occurred to me that it could be MRSA because I've visited the hospital a few times over the last 2 months with my daughter. I'll explore this further. Thanks for the website; it's truly awesome!

EC: Additional pages of interest:
Boil Remedies
MRSA Remedies


Turmeric
Posted by Elise (London, England) on 04/26/2008
★★★★★

Hello, just thought I'd write to you, because after days of feeling hopeless I may have found the cure to my folliculitis, which has been with me for months,with turmeric. After reading the many successes on this site, I thought I would try it myself. I Tried 1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water 3 times a day, only been a few days, but already Ive seen a marked improvement, even my scars dont look as bad.My Doctor said that I had folliculitis and gave me course of erythromycin which actually made me feel very ill, and 'spaced out', and my stomach felt as if it would explode! took the course,although Im not sure if they helped or not, and bought myself some Hibiscrub. Also I have bought some tee tree oil antiseptic wash, as I really really want this embarrassing and painful complaint to go. I havent been tested for MRSA but my Doctor doesnt seem worried about this this. I am thinking of switching to turmeric tablets as the powder can be a little unpalatable and 'gritty' but I am continuing with it anyway. I am so very grateful for finding this site, and hope to see more improvement with my condition in the days to come,and I hope the turmeric remedy helps many more! Best wishes, x.


Turmeric
Posted by Scott (Eugene, Oregon) on 12/05/2007
★☆☆☆☆

I purchased a bottle of 500mg Turmeric capsules, and took two pills, three times a day for one week. At first it seemed like things were clearing up, but then I started getting the pimples again. I don't have the large oozing type boils as I've seen mentioned here; mine are more like little red pimples, almost exclusively appearing on my thighs. I get one to three new ones daily which range from only mildly annoying to nicely painful, depending on their exact location. Looking around, I found references to this type as being called folliculitis (sp?) Anyway, the turmeric really didn't help much. I even upped my daily dosage to three capsules four times a day, with the only noticeable result being --perhaps -- that the pimples were slightly smaller and less painful. The stomach upset however was too much to bear at that dosage, and I was compelled to stop.

On another note, it seems like Milk Thistle (also in capsules) seems to be reducing my outbreaks. Other things I tried which had hope but did not come through in the long run: Goldenseal (caps); Tea Tree Oil (worked in large amounts but stunk up the place, and made me conspicuously smelly at the office). I'm just now studying the effects of rosemary soap, which I accidently discovered seemed to help. (My wife bought some rosemary shampoo, and on a lark I tried washing my trouble areas with a light dilution of it. So far it seems it may be having some positive effects. Thanks for all the other great tips you're cataloging here. I'm holding out for an actual medical cure for this nasty little bug -- but not holding my breath.

Replied by Alex
(Kingston, Jamaica)
08/05/2011

I'm 17. You would not believe the effects Folliculitis has on the self-esteem of an otherwise confident girl like. I get the same kind that you get. Small reddish pimples on the inside of my thighs, and ive had them all of my high school life so that's about 5 years -___- I'm gonna try some the remedies I saw here but it's good to find out that I'm not some weird freak with zits on my thighs. And that partners don't ditch you when they find out. #1 weight lifted off shoulders. Thank You Earth Clinic

Replied by Kate
(Usa)
04/17/2014

Oh my I can empathize, I'm 24 now but started getting infected folliculs at 17/18. It's the pits, I'm so glad I decided to look into natural remedies because the gels and crap my doctor keeps giving me are not working. My wonderful boyfriend has been so great about helping me get over the self esteem issues that came with the boils, he even took off work last summer to take me to the ER because one had become super infected and needed to be lanced- so gross, do not recommend. My point is, when you find the right person, they will know that we are all human and illness happens.


Turmeric
Posted by Spen (Kokura, Japan) on 07/01/2007
★★★★★

I have scalp folliculitis, for the last 10 years. I've been on many anti biotics, which always fail eventually, and the infection comes back with vengence, painfully. I've therefore turned to natural remedies.The folliculitis causes about 1cm wide spots, filled with puss, very sore, and they are slowly joining together. From 3 days ago, I tried a teaspoon of tumeric, mixed in a little cold water, 3 times a day.

The results are amazing. When I tried anti b's, I would see no results for 5-6 days. With turmeric, within 24hrs, my swelling had halved, and now, 4 days later, although I still have the red marks, the swelling has gone, 100%. I'm amazed, and the happiest man on earth! I'm sure it will not cure me, but the pain and irritation relief is unbelievable. I hope it continues, and if anyone else tries this method, please let me know, and good luck. Spencer

Replied by Melonie
(Atlanta, Georgia USA)
07/19/2008
★★★★★

I have Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS). It is a pus-producing and debilitating skin condition that causes large infected boils on the neck, breasts, armpits, abdomen, buttocks and groin areas. They can grow together and also form a tunnel called a "sinus tract". It sounds like what some of you may have. I was self-diagnosed after doctors didn't know what is was & still didn't after informing them. Their treatment was years of antibiotics which didn't work, by-the-way because in most cases, the pus is sterile. I went online and searched for a Natural/Holistic treatment and found Turmeric. I took as directed ( 1 teaspoon in a cup of warm water 10-15 minutes before breakfast & dinner for 3 days). I felt results in hours - not days. I felt better overall. In 3 days all of my golf ball sized areas on my neck, breasts, underarms ans sinus tract disappeared, along with the terrible deep-purple scars that HS leaves. I went back to my dermatologist 6 months later and they could not believe I was the same person. I have told my HS Support Group Members about it and they, too, have been successful into putting their condition into remission. I have been in remission for 7 months now. For some reason, the capsules do not seem to have the same effects and affects as the powder in warm water, though.

Replied by Solida
(Brooklyn, New York)
05/19/2010

I'm simply trying to find out if I can use the regular supermarket spice version of turmeric to drink? Thanks!!

EC: Yes, absolutely. That's the one we use!

Replied by Lauren
(Scottsdale, Az)
07/19/2010

HI GUYS! SO SO SO GLAD IM NOT THE ONLY ONE STUGGLING WITH THIS LIFE RUINING ISSUE! I JUST GOT BACK FROM THE DERMA A BIT AGO. . . IM ONLY 19 YEARS OLD AND HAVE FOLLICULITIS! IT HAS RUINED MY SUMMER AND IM SO OVER WITH IT! MY DERMA HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY PILLS FOAM CREMES AND SO MANY CHEMICAL PEELS. . ! ! ! BTW. . . AND I JUST WANNA BE NORMAL AGAIN I HAVNT GONE SWIMMING OR BEEN IN THE SUN ALLL SUMMER. . . CUZ WHEN I AM IT GETS REALLY RED AND GROSS AGAIN. . . . . SO YOU GUYS ARE TELLING ME IF I JUST MIX

1-TEASPOON OF Turmeric W/GLASS OF WARM WATER, IT SHOULD HELP???
IF IT DOES I'LL BE THE MOST HAPPY AND THANKFUL PERSON ALIVE! ! PLZ LET ME KNOW YOUR FEEDBACK PEOPLE. . . . HOPEFULLY IT'S ALL POSITIVE! THANK U AND GOD BLESS

Replied by Djpurity
(Berkeley, Ca)
07/21/2010

Turmeric is one of my very favorite spices. I put it on everything. It is very powerful antioxident and good for the digestive track and immune system among a dozen other bonus things. You can get capsules if you don't want to taste them, or get the spice and put it on all your food -I even put it on my yogurt with fresh berries, granola, agave nectar, cinnamon, and turmeric. Every day. I put turmeric on anything I cook (I am vegan) so if it's tempeh or seitan, it's awesome. But if you eat meat it's great on meat. It's good on rice, on grains, on everything, IMHO. Just the amount may take getting used to. Work up to a good amount. Start small, take a little a few times a day. You can buy soap and shampoo and conditioner and even body wash and oils with turmeric in it to keep you clean. It's very powerful stuff and used in many things and awesome to learn to like. But if you want to skip appreciating one of the most awesome spices out there, then I guess you could gulp it down in water but that sounds really gross. I would try it in kefir and maybe with agave and cinnamon unless you cannot eat those. But cinnamon goes well with turmeric so the flavor really is nice together. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

EC: IMHO: acronym for IN MY HUMBLE OPINION

Replied by Rach
(Atlanta, Ga, Usa)
10/28/2010

I just wanted to say that I am so greatful that I stumbled across this site. I have been dealing with horrible folliculitis on my chin for the past couple of months and nothing seems to help. I bought the tea tree oil, I'm getting the white vinegar tonight, but I have a couple of questions.

1. Should I use white vinegar or apple cider vinegar?

2. Can I use the tumeric that you can buy in the local grocery store or is there a certain type/organic grade that I should look for?

3. How often should I use the turmeric and should it be an ongoing thing?

4. How much turmeric should I use on a daily basis (amount)?

Thank you so much for everyone's input on this website.

Replied by Vineet
(Mumbai, India)
02/05/2011

Hi, I have a basic question regarding the remedy..

Do we eat one tablespoon full of turmeric powder with warm water 2 or 3 times a day or do we form a paste and apply it to the affacted area to treat scalp folliculitis?

Replied by Lita209
(Sanford, Fl, Usa)
02/07/2011

It would be a good idea to do both. Good luck!

Replied by Lancey
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
07/26/2011
★★★★☆

WOW - I am so happy I cam across this. I have had Folliculitus for over 10 years on my scalp. I have tried all available anti bi's and they have worked but only for a limited time. I have been using Turmeric for 3 days now and my scalp has almost cleared up. Thanks so much for putting the info up.

Still early day but I am really excited at the results.

Replied by Countrygirl
(Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada)
09/08/2012
★★★★★

I was so very happy to find this site, just as the rest of the people here. The first time I got folliculitis I of course went to the doctor and took antibiotics to get rid of it. That was about 4 months ago. It came back about a week ago, which was when I decided to try to find a better and permanent solution. Since last week, I have been soaking a cotton ball this the Apple Sider Viniger and applying this, just dabbing it all over the infected area for about 5 minutes three times a day and it is almost all cleared up. I just today started taking the tumeric - but had not liked the idea of putting it in a glass of water and drinking it. It is such a great spice! So I just put one teaspoon in a bowl of rice with virgin coconut oil (cold expeller pressed - another great healing agent) with some fresh spinach sliced up thinly and it was great! I fully believe that the reason the infection had started in the first place is because our immune systems are not up to par - which is where the tumeric comes in. I have done much research on this and it seems to be the answer to a whole lot of health problems. So, I will continue to put the tumeric on anything I think it will go with, (on potatoes, meat, rice etc) every day to build up my immune system and will hopefully never have this happen again. Thanks for all the great advice here from everyone (and from the one post about just putting the tumeric on food - that is the way to go). :-)

Replied by Southaussie62
(Adelaide)
12/31/2015

I'm so glad I found this thread. I believe I've finally found a cure for this hellish disease.

So here's my story:

I've suffered from folliculitis around my back area for I don't know how many years (it has to be 6-10 years or so).

My condition started after I developed itchy pus-filled welts that would appear around my groin area which would split and bleed (absolutely disgusting). I consulted a doctor who prescribed me what I recall was Doxycillin, which knocked it on the head (thank god), though I did get a milder recurrence a short time later. So I consulted a specialist but when I saw him the symptoms weren't there (I had to book in to see him some weeks ahead) and did nothing but tell me to come back when I had symptoms and charged me $150 for the consult.

So back to my GP I eventually went who gave me a follow up dose of the antibiotic which seemed to knock out the welts symptom but then, at about that time, I noticed I started getting itchiness and redness around my rear area. The area would look like sunburn. Its odd I know but in my mind I believed the disease had simply moved from my front area to my rear, albeit with somewhat different symptoms (apart from the itchiness which was the same & which was still present in my groin area but without the split skin etc). Another course of the antibiotic though this time did nothing. I asked my GP for a stronger dose but he advised the dosage he was prescribing me was already reaching 'toxic levels', so this wasn't an option. So at this point I tried all sorts of 'home remedies' including Colloidal Silver, Tea Tree Oil, Peroxide, MSM, antiseptics - basically anything I came across that might have good anti-bacterial or anti-fungal properties (as I was of the opinion it was a fungal or bacterial disease), but nothing worked. At best I would get mild temporary relief but then the disease would return with a vengeance. Its almost like it had a 'mind of its own', developing a resistance to anything I threw at it. So over time I decided I would just have to live with the condition. Blood tests I had had found nothing. Another GP I saw a year or 2 later did the same blood tests and tried different creams etc but eventually made the comment that this condition may be a form of eczema and that I 'just might have to live it' which is not what I wanted to hear, as I was thinking the same and this simply reinforced this 'give up' approach, which was not what I really wanted to do.

So I then had my medical records transferred to another GP who lived closer with a view to getting someone to take a 'fresh look' at my condition. This GP was better. I don't recall what he did originally. From memory he tried different antibiotics which didnt help but it was good in that he was keen to try and find a cure. He subsequently referred me to a Specialist who also was very good. This time I had the symptoms of the red rash and itchiness around my rear area (sitting was painful & I had a desk job so this made it all the more a problem). By now I had this condition for so long and had been scratching the area for so long (it used to drive me nuts at night when I was trying to sleep) that a fairly large area of the skin had 'thickened up'. He diagnosed me with a form of folliculitis. At least now I could take some comfort in the fact I now knew what it was - the condition had a name. He prescribed me a cortisone that would thin the skin and asked me to come back so he could prescribe something else once this cream had done its job. A few weeks later I returned and he said the area looked much better and that the skin had thinned out as he had expected. He then prescribed a cream for me (Bactroban) and a few weeks later I went back to see him. At this point he discharged me as he was of the opinion the condition had improved significantly. He advised me to use the Bactroban if I had any 'flare-ups' and its this that I have been using for some years now @ $15 a tube, which usually lasts me about a month.

Then yesterday morning when sitting down in front of my laptop I noticed the itchiness and discomfort return again (which is nothing new as I have the symptoms pretty much every day) and made the first of probably 6 trips to the bathroom for the day to apply the Bactroban cream. It was then that I decided to google 'natural remedies folliculitis' and the 1st thread I found was this one. I read how simple vinegar has cured this ailment for many people and was keen to try Turmeric so I looked online for the VICCO cream and ordered a tube. I also dabbed some cotton balls in plain white vinegar and dabbed the affected area and WOW what a reaction! Instantly the itchiness disappeared & the redness started to fade. I then rushed round to my pharmacy and bought some Turmeric tablets (3,000mg) and took one and I noticed over the next hour or so the redness had completely gone. Knowing I had to wait several days at least for the turmeric cream to arrive I googled 'Indian Grocery Stores' and found one not far from me that stocked the cream so I drove around and grabbed another tube & dabbed that onto the affected area for good measure. I also purchased some Vitamin E cream and applied that over the top of the VICCO cream, & 24 hours later I can confidently say I believe I've finally beaten this thing. I've said this before trying other treatments but none of them had had such an effect as to remove all the symptoms of this disease as the vinegar and turmeric has. This has not simply alleviated the symptoms to a large degree (as other treatments have) - its completely snuffed it out. I noticed a very slight itch in one area between the folds of skin this morning and dabbed it with white vinegar and the itch instantly disappeared. Bactroban & nothing else I have ever tried has had such a profound & immediate effect. At best they have reduced the itching somewhat but I've always had to go back and apply more cream a short time later but an hour after applying the vinegar the itchiness hasn't returned. I can't stop checking in the mirror expecting to see a return of the redness only to see NOTHING there. I am absolutely stunned (not to mention over-joyed) that this thing has finally gone. Just WOW.

In summary, for me at least, turmeric & white vinegar are god sends. I'm not sure which is most responsible for ridding me of this condition, but I can attest to the immediate affect of directly applied vinegar. It could be the turmeric is preventing it from coming back & possibly assisting with the symptoms. Its hard to say as I started using both the turmeric and vinegar at the same time, however I will continue to use both if & when I notice symptoms again. I will post here again at some stage in the future with an update on this condition and what seems to be - its cure.

As a side note, my partner sometimes suffers from acute bouts of eczema so I have put her onto the turmeric tablets and cream and yesterday she noticed an immediate result also. Hopefully this gold colored substance is a cure for her condition also.

Replied by Southaussie62
(Adelaide)
01/03/2016

So..its been several days since I added my post above and the results so far have been extremely good. I've had a couple of minor flare-ups of the folliculitis over the least few days but nowhere near as many as I would normally get particularly in view of the fact it is mid-summer here in Australia (the heat & humidity exacerbates the condition). I've immediately wiped the area with ACV upon noticing the slightest symptom (usually discomfort and redness) then applied Turmeric skin cream. I continue to take turmeric 1 x3,000mg capsule daily as well. But the symptoms have been very minor since I started with this new regime. I am absolutely elated!

I've noticed the odd minor itch occur a couple of times (but only in the folds of the skin and in 1 small area) and hit it with ACV which removed the itch immediately. I then applied more turmeric cream to the area & the itch hasnt returned.

Interestingly, I noticed the tube of Bactroban yesterday sitting on my bathroom shelf that I havent touched now for several days. I couldn't live without this antibiotic up until now as nothing else gave me relief.

So far the ACV/Turmeric regime has proven to be a winner. It may be too early to say its a cure until I allow more time to see if this disease develops a resistance but I doubt it will. Most things I've tried in the past have only given me some relief of the symptoms (they've not cleared it up) and only for anything from a few hours, to a day or so, before the folliculitis comes back even worse than before. But this time it hasn't and its been several days. At the very least I can say so far that using ACV & turmeric cream are very cheap alternatives to Bactroban and are much more effective. I used to have to apply Bactroban up to 6 times a day or more when it was really bad. Now I apply the ACV & turmeric 2-3 times a day, and that's really more to stop it from returning and/or due to very minor symptoms.

I hope to be able to post here in another week or so to say I'm 100% cured.

Replied by Southaussie62
(Adelaide)
01/08/2016
★★★★★

So its been about a week since I started with the ACV and Turmeric and I'm elated. I havent touched the Bactroban since I started and my symptoms are 95% better than they were. I still get the odd itch in the middle of the night sometimes but leave it until the morning to apply the ACV or Turmeric unless its irritating to the point it keeps me awake (which is rare). When I awake in the morning I apply ACV followed by Turmeric if required. Each time the ACV kills the itch. This stuff is brilliant.

I might also add that I used to also get some itching around my groin area as well with some redness which was just an added burden, (& I still do occasionally), but again an application of ACV & Turmeric kills it dead. The skin around this area is looking much better.

Replied by Steve
(Pgh, Pa)
04/01/2016

Do you use turmeric capsules or just put the actual ingredient on yourself, and have you tried hibiclens also.

Replied by David
(Sa)
04/01/2016

I use both. And though ACV together with the turmeric is the most effective treatment I've used yet, and the condition is 90% better than it was its still not gone completely. Occasionally I get some irritation and/or itching so need to apply a repeat dose. Its way better than prescription cream but thanks for the Hibiclens suggestion, I'll give that a go also.



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