Natural Remedies for Actinic Keratosis: Effective Home Treatments

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)

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?

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.

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.

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...

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 saw someone claiming Castor Oil mixed with Baking Soda worked for them in just 2 days. I think you make a paste, then apply it to the spot.

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.

i bought eggplant powder on amazon, and mixed with vinegar. I use it at night as it is like a mask.

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

Hello. I'm searching for natural ways to treat/cure actinic keratosis. I have a mild case of it on top of my head, but would like to get rid of it. I just very recently started spraying the area twice daily with a 50/50 solution of DMSO/ACV. Thanks.

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hi All, I just wanted to post my experience with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and possible Actinic Keratosis. I had not received a medical diagnosis for the small, irritated spots that appeared on my nose. I'm 47 years old, Irish ancestry, with a history of extreme sun exposure as a child. I would get one spot on my nose, it would get irritated and ulcerate, and then wouldn't heal like a pimple would. There was no pus and the spot turned black. I was worried that it was basal cancer, impetigo, or a staph infection. With some research, I thought that maybe this was actinic keratosis. The first spot took about a month to heal on its own with a lot of coconut oil. It was very unsightly. About a month later, I got another spot on the left side of the tip of my nose. It was very inflamed, itchy, and unsightly. I decided to treat this with ACV. I put ACV on a cotton ball and put it on the spot. It stung badly and felt like it was burning my skin. I continued with the treatment as I thought that I couldn't just leave the spot to fester on my face and that the ACV was probably a good treatment. After 3-4 weeks of applying the ACV, the spot was just so unsightly and raw. It had become an open ulcer and it appeared that I had burned through the skin and could see the dermis below. It was about .25 inches in diameter and circular. I decided to stop with the ACV and apply Aloe and coconut oil to see what would happen. After about a week, the spot seemed to begin to heal. Now, several months later, I have a very deep scar on my nose where the sore was. It is the deepest scar on my face and I have wondered if I overdid it with the ACV. I have since gotten new sores on my nose, usually one at a time, on the tip of my nose. I haven't been treating these with ACV because I'm afraid of unnecessarily scarring myself again. I have a new red, scaly, spot that has just developed beside the place where I have my scar from my first ACV treatment. I'm unsure of what to do now, but I think that I will try colloidal silver.

EDITH,,,,,,,,,,, ORH here,,,,,,,,,, my mother was named Edith. Been down your trail all my 83 years and suggest that you first do 5% Fluorouraicil and if that does not work , use Curaderm. Otherwise , you likely to be talking skin cancer and a dermatologist. I was a life guard, played tournament tennis and gardener. Now am reaping the whirlwind with my skin. My Mississippi country grand dad always wore a long sleeve shirt and his skin was like ivory. I now wear long sleeve shirts in the hot Tn summers. Do as I say, and not like I did. Our ancestral wemmins wore bonnets and they were not weathered like the lassies of today. You need some sun for vitamin D, but only about half an hour a day. ====ORH====

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

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.

Hi Linda (Seattle).

I know it's been some years since you posted, but did you cook the eggplant first, or did you mash it up raw? Also, have you had any relapse of the keratosis? I've tried just the ACV (no eggplant). It has worked for me temporarily, but each time the keratosis has come back.

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

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.

What's 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 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 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.

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.

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