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White Vinegar for Folliculitis

| Modified on Mar 18, 2024
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White vinegar is an effective home remedy for folliculitis. White vinegar is very cheap and available in grocery stores everywhere. White vinegar can be applied to the infected areas with cotton balls. It can also be added to a spray bottle for easy application to a larger area of infection.

White vinegar is strong and may burn if you have broken skin. In this case, dilute the vinegar with water, using equal parts of vinegar and water. If this solution still stings, you can follow up your vinegar treatment with castor oil or coconut oil, two oils that are also healing to 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.
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Posted by Jeannie (Portland, Or) on 06/24/2014
 ★★★★★

White Vinegar for folliculitis:

I had itching and then bumps on my thighs. Because of the location, I thought it might be "jock itch, " so I tried an anti fungal cream for two weeks. Nothing! Tried aloe, A&D ointment, tea tree oil -- nothing worked.

Then I tried the white vinegar compress, 2-3 times per day and within a couple of days, voila! I used one part white vinegar to 3 parts water. I soak a small washcloth in the solution, then leave it on the affected area for about 20 minutes. Works like a charm. This was great, because I had called a dermatologist and couldn't get an early appointment. Saved myself $$.

Highly recommended!

White Vinegar
Posted by Stormy (Pueblo, Colorado) on 08/26/2012
 ★★★★★

Hi all, I had foliculitis from chemo. I took a prescription from the doc. And a few other things to get rid of it but the only thing that would work was the white vinegar. It was a little smelly but it worked great!

White Vinegar
Posted by David (Poole, Dorset, England) on 07/14/2011
 ★★★★★

I stumbled across this website yesterday after googling 'folliculitis', an affliction that I have had for many years. I have tried various remedies including colloidal silver, medicated soaps and scrubs and prolonged courses of antibiotics. My folliculitis has become quite extensive, covering the whole of my legs, my buttocks, the small of my back and to a lesser extent, my stomach. It is both uncomfortable and embarrassing and I would desperately like to be shot of it.

Anyway, after reading the postings here I decided to try white vinegar. Nothing fancy, when I got home from work I simply splashed it into the palm of my hand and applied it to the affected areas. It stung a bit and of course it smells quite strongly, but I allowed it to air dry then went to bed after a long night shift.

So far, I'm amazed at the difference after just one application! I have been suffering from a particularly bad recurrence after finishing a seven month course of antibiotics (that offered some relief but also seems to have developed a stronger, resistant condition), and the spots on my legs were quite large and painful. When I got up after a good sleep the difference was profound: the inflammation was considerably reduced, the itching also reduced, and the spots seem to have shrunk quite dramatically. And this is just after day one!

I'm so excited that I may have finally stumbled upon an effective remedy. Thanks to previous posters for their contributions that have pointed me in, hopefully, the right direction. Good luck to all in beating this curse.

White Vinegar
Posted by Kris (Henderson, Nevada) on 12/01/2010
 ★★★★★

I had folliculitis on my shin for way over a year. I was on antibiotics, steroid creams and every single OTC cream, ointment, everything. I spent hundreds in doctor visits and self-medicating. The last call was a biopsy recommended by the doc. I went into Earth clinic and found the vinegar cure posted by many. I used white vinegar, in a solution of 1 tablespoon per 2 cups water. I mixed in a jar and I heated it until warm before using. Then I sat with a towel under my leg and poured the warm vinegar solution on the cotton balls. As it cooled, I poured more solution on. I sat with it on my leg for about 20 mins. At least 3 times a day. If I wanted to get up, I would plastic wrap around my leg, to keep the wet cotton on my leg, and tape it around. At night, I would make a plastic wrap around my leg, and leave the solution on all night. By the second day, my leg was healed! I continue to use the compress at least twice a day and sleep with it on at night. I have been clear since the second day, but am making sure!

Replied by Dee
(Denver, Colorado)
12/21/2012

I have tried everything the only thing that works for a long period of time is acid water, its up to u how much acid to have in your solution. Keep oil away from the affected area and shampo often to open pores and drain pus. White Vinegar will clear up scars and also gives relief but acid water is the best.

Replied by Pam Crabtree
(Ohio)
06/28/2016

Try colloidal silver with turmeric. That's the only thing that help me my immune system, which is compromised from R.A. Plus my iron level is low.

White Vinegar
Posted by Gp (London, United Kingdom) on 05/23/2010
 ★★★★☆

Hi just had to write to encourage others to try this cure for folliculitis, which I have had for 4 years! I stumbled across this website the other day, and wanted to try it for myself, at first I was sceptical as I like many others have been from one antibiotic, lotions, potions and creams without success, for this very embarrasing, and painful condition. I got myself a plant spray and poured pure some distilled white vinegar and sprayed my legs, which at present are covered with infected hairs and past dark red scars. Couldnt quite believe it the, the fresh spots, seemed to just disappear and my old scars dont seem so apparent. Its great! Ive only been doing it for one day! so I am definitely going to try this every day and hope to see a difference. I had visited my GP on Friday and came back very despondent with his vagueness of information on such, for me, such a debilitating condition, affecting my relationships and now my lifestyle, as the painful infected spots look just awful and my post-follicular spots look dark and horrible. There is hope, and I am hoping that vinegar can help me. Try it for yourself, with best wishes GP.

White Vinegar
Posted by J M (San Jose, California) on 11/05/2007
 ★★★★★

I've used both apple cider vinegar and just straight up white distilled vinegar to get rid of folliculitis.

I've had folliculitis twice within the past 7 months. The first time was very very bad case of folliculitis. They looked like large pimples with hair in the center. It was all over my legs. Because they were so bad, I submerged and agitated vinegar over each leg for about an hour every night and then I let it air dry. I did this for about 6 weeks. 'The second time I got folliculitis was about a month ago. I saw the familiar tell tale signs of folliculitis starting on my calves. The small red bumps were forming, and at the center were the hair follicles. So I immediately started the vinegar treatment that night. This one took me about 3 weeks or maybe a little more. Every night I'd submerge and agitate vinegar over the affected area (and maybe a little more)

It does smell, but if you let it air dry before going to bed and then showering in the morning, the smell shouldn't be noticable to others at all if you wear jeans over it.

A little warning, I do swear that this treatment works, but it does tend to burn like crazy. This can be the most depressing hour of your life because it does burn, but the burn only lasts for about the first week or so of treatment. maybe a little longer. You'll notice that the affected spots will dry up and form scabs and eventually flake off.

Do not scratch at the spots. I suggest wearing socks over your hands and maybe evening tying them up at night when sleeping.

This truly does work!! try it. Beats antibiotics and doctor visits. I buy 3 gallons of white distilled vinegar and pour em into a bucket and put one leg at a time in. I use my hands to scoop vinegar all over the legs. I change vinegar whenever it gets cloudy.

My dermatologist had me on minocyclin 100mg for 3 months along with duac for 3 -4 months with no success. He couldn't figure out how to cure it. I gave up on him and gave in to my mom's suggestion of trying vinegar treatment. This treatment is faster than the conventional treatment of using duac for the suggested 8 weeks.

Replied by Julia
(Surrey, Uk)
11/15/2015
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

Yes, vinegar is great for helping to clear the skin, but even this does not seem to last and I keep having to rotate treatments as the infection seems to become resistant to things. Garlic is also great, I boil some up or use bought cream, and put it on at night and cover it over, then wash everything next morning. Bicarb is also great, just dampen the powder and smear it on. SO many things really, that reduce the PH or anything that fights fungus helps, like various essential oils, and coconut. I found that all the creams given to me by docs were useless, but anti fungal foot powder works (I use it on trunk of body, tummy and back mostly) as it is dry instead of creamy. If I get too hot it gets much worse, but powders help keep it dry.



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