Does vinegar work for eczema? Is vinegar good for eczema? Baths with natural remedies have grown to be better alternatives to conventional or modern medicine. They help relieve symptoms and generally improve the quality of life of those dealing with skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. In a series, I’ll be discussing more the use of baths for eczema. We’ll talk about sea salt, oatmeal, and vinegar. So, for today, let’s learn more about how to use vinegar bath for eczema.
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Eczema
Eczema also is known as atopic dermatitis is a condition of skin inflammation. It results in redness, itching, swelling, blistering and thick scaly patches on different parts of the body.
While it’s common in children, it can occur at any age. This condition can be long-lasting and periodically flares up with severe forms of symptoms. Causes include allergens, emotional stress, irritants and bacteria which are triggers that cause a hypersensitivity reaction.
There is no definite cure for dermatitis but there are remedies and treatments that can be used to reduce the severity of symptoms.
Is Vinegar Bath Good for Eczema? – Benefits
Vinegar offers a lot of benefits for the skin that help in regeneration and hasten healing. Benefits include:
- It works as an astringent that gets rid of bacteria, dust and other impurities from the skin
- Vinegar helps to balance the PH of the skin prevent irritation, dryness, and itching which are common symptoms.
- It is an anti-inflammatory that helps to soothe irritated skin
- Drinking vinegar cleanses and detoxifies the body thus clean system and healthy skin
- It improves the digestive systems which make it easy to flush out toxins from the body
- Apple cider vinegar is a rich source of potassium that helps to combat allergies offering relief from allergy triggered eczema.
- It contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that helps in skin regeneration. It gets rid of dead skin cells and rough scaly patches.
- Vinegar contains a number of minerals and vitamins that boost the immune system beneficial for curing eczema.
How to use Vinegar for Eczema
Learning how to properly use apple cider vinegar for eczema ensures that you get the maximum benefits.
Spot Treatment- Topical Application
This method is effective in symptom control if smaller areas such as the face, scalp, and hands are affected.
- Into a bowl, add equal quantities of Apple Cider Vinegar and water
- Use a cotton ball to dab the mixture onto affected areas
- Allow it to dry
- Alternatively, you can add the solution into a spray bottle and use it to refresh your skin
- Repeat the same process twice daily to get relief from eczema
Vinegar Soak- Bath for Eczema
This method allows for treatment on larger areas of the skin spread over the hands, legs, and back such as dyshidrotic eczema. Areas that cannot be easily reached on self-treatment.
- Into a bath of warm water, add two cups of apple cider vinegar. If using half a bath, use a cup of ACV
- Soak in for at least 20-30 minutes
- Pat dry your skin and moisturize with coconut oil
Ensure that the bath is not too hot. Hot water irritates the skin and causes it to dry affecting the already sensitive skin. DO NOT scrub your skin with rough materials such as loofahs and keep off irritants such as harsh cleansers.
Drinking Vinegar for Eczema
Consumption of Apple Cider Vinegar gives an inside-out approach to eczema relief. It works from inside the body to provide beneficial nutrients like potassium that boost the immune system. This enables the body to effectively fight off bacteria and other pathogens that can cause skin problems.
- Add a tablespoon or two of vinegar into a glass of warm water
- Mix well
- Add a tablespoon of honey to taste
- Drink it twice daily, 20-30 minutes before eating
- Do this regularly to get relief from eczema
This method is not suitable for those having problems with indigestion, presenting with heartburn or peptic ulcers. Consult your physician before taking apple cider vinegar orally for eczema of pregnant, breastfeeding or on any medication.
Vinegar for Laundry
The use of detergents, fragrances, and fabric softeners can leave residue on clothes which can irritate the skin triggering eczema flare-ups. If battling eczema, use mild detergents, rinse clothes thoroughly to get rid of these irritants. To soften clothes naturally, add a cup of white distilled vinegar into the wash cycle.
Note that you should NEVER mix vinegar with bleach.
Vinegar for eczema in babies
Add a half a cup of apple cider vinegar into your child’s bath to get rid of bacteria and promote healing of the skin. Moisturize baby skin as soon as possible. The skin at this point is moist and pores are open, the best time to soak up the moisture.
White Vinegar vs Apple Cider Vinegar- Which one is best?
The best type of vinegar to use for eczema is organic apple cider vinegar. It is natural with a high nutrient content. Use white vinegar to soften your fabrics naturally.
Salt and vinegar bath make the most common and highly spoken of home remedies for eczema. Learn more about sea salt bath for eczema and the benefits of Dead Sea salt for psoriasis
Other home remedies for eczema include:
- Coconut Oil
- Oatmeal bath
- Magnesium baths
- Probiotics
- Bleach baths
- Baking soda
Prevention of flare-ups is very important in leading the least problematic eczema life. This may range from tweaking a few things in your lifestyle to making grand changes. The most important part is to learn about the patterns and finding out what your triggers are. Once you have this info, it becomes easy to avoid them making possible to lead an eczema free life. Here are the most important tips;
- Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize. Apply moisturizer as soon as possible after baths to lock in moisture.
- Use a humidifier in cold and dry weather seasons
- Wear clothes made of cotton
- Go for clothes made of soft fabric- clothes with rough material that irritates skin
- Avoid tight clothing
- Avoid abrupt changes in temperature
- After baths, pat dry your skin rather than rubbing
- If you have allergies, avoid allergens or triggers such as pet dander and hay.
- Clip fingernails to avoid injuring your skin during those itching breakouts.
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