I've developed eczema over the last year (I'm 22) and have tried a lot of natural remedies. I first tried ACV and found that it made my eczema WAY WORSE. I was drinking about 2-3 oz a day and applying it topically (50/50 with water). I only did this for 2 days because I instantly saw negative results. I later discovered that I have an intolerance to sulfites, which is in ACV in high amounts (all vinegars, wine and dried fruit have loads of sulfites in them)...
I've been staying away from all preservatives and using BioOil mixed with Tea Tree oil and Lavender Oil and my eczema is slowly getting better. I was getting it on and around my lips as well as a big patch on my wrist and neck and it's almost completely gone on my mouth and more bearable on my wrist. Give a preservative-free diet a try!
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.
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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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Susan (Chicago, Illinois) on 08/07/2010:
Hi! I am a 42-year-old female who has SUFFERED with eczema since infancy. My eczema has worsened since college, my hands are inflamed, cracked and bleeding almost year round. I have used every steroid cream, spray and tape on the market with only slight improvement. About 6 days ago I came across this site and read about ACV. I figured it could't hurt to try. I stopped ALL steroids and started applying a 50/50 ACV/distilled water solution once in the morning and once before bed (air dry) and continued using my prescription (steroid-free) moisturizer. After about 24 hours my eczema was about 75% clear. It is now completely gone. AMAZING. I am so happy. I am a healthcare provider and need to wash my hands between patients (about 10-15 a day)... This was murder on my eczema but now has been no problem. NOTE: on day 3 I got a little cocky and used the ACV full strength- not a good idea, my hands became somewhat irritated... Went back to a 50/50 solution. Those of you who have suffered as I have can understand my elation. I can't believe something so simple has worked so well after all these years of fighting...Thank you EarthClinic...If you too have severe eczema don't be skeptical....TRY THIS!
Telecandy (Amsterdam, Netherlands) on 06/26/2010:
I'm a guy that suffered from moderate eczema on my face since puberty (40 now) - the sides of my nose, upper lip, chin, jaw and forehead. Have been using steroid creams, which work really well. But you can only get those on a doctor's prescription in most European countries. And those creams have side effects like thinning skin. I wanted to try a natural treatment. Since using ACV topically I've been 100% eczema free. It's been two years now. I use it as a skin tonic in the evening: 1/3 ACV, 2/3 purified water. Still very amazed that a natural remedy can have this strong an effect, and super happy that I no longer suffer from these embarrassing outbreaks in my face.
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