Does vinegar stop itching

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

5 ml of apple cider vinegar is all you need to treat itchy skin and scalp

Here's how to use apple cider vinegar if you have itchy skin and scalp due to fungal or bacterial infection, sweating, allergy or any other reason.

Read this in Hindi.

Be it sweating during summer or dry climate during winter, your skin has to bear the brunt. With itchy skin and scalp, which is not only embarrassing and uncomfortable, you will end up spending a lot of money on treatments and remedies for relief. However, in some cases, the harsh chemicals might further worsen the condition rather than provide relief. And if this is the case with you as well, then you should go all natural and try apple cider vinegar, to deal with itchy skin and scalp.

Apple cider vinegar is one of the most widely used natural remedy to deal with various conditions like yellow teeth, dandruff, smelly underarms and even for weight loss. However, not many people know that it can also treat itchy skin and scalp. It contains citric acid, which is acidic in nature thereby hindering the bacterial growth and hence, preventing you from infection and itchy skin. Also, it acts as a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent, which lowers your risk of infections. Moreover, it also reduces your risk of contracting bacterial or fungal infection due to excessive sweating. And in case of itchy scalp, it relieves itching by balancing the pH level of the scalp and also destroying the microbes, which lead to clogging in hair follicles [1].

How to use it?

For itchy skin: Add an ml of apple cider vinegar in 10 ml of water and mix well. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and dab it on the itchy area. But if you have an itchy feeling all over the body, you can even add a cupful of vinegar in a bucketful of water and use it for bathing [1].

For itchy scalp: Rinse your scalp with water and allow it to dry naturally. Now, add 5 ml. of each, apple cider vinegar and water, in a spray bottle. Apply this mixture on your scalp and leave it for 15 minutes before you wash it with a mild shampoo. Do this every alternate day for effective results [2].

References

Stepanovs, J. (1999). Skin Saver Remedies. Harald Tietze Publishing P.
Lansky, V., & Campbell, M. (2004). Vinegar: Over 400 Various, Versatile & Very Good Uses You've Probably Never Thought of. Book Peddlers.

Image Source: Shuterstock

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Can apple cider vinegar help with eczema?

Some people use apple cider vinegar to improve the symptoms of eczema. However, it can irritate the skin and may not be suitable for everyone.

Eczema refers to a range of conditions that include atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. It can result in dry, cracked, and itchy patches of skin. Home remedies, moisturizers, and medications may help manage the symptoms.

Apple cider vinegar is a home remedy that some say helps. In Korea, people have long used it to treat various skin complaints, including eczema.

The vinegar comes from fermented apple cider. Some believe it can heal eczema by rebalancing the skins acidity levels and reducing the risk of infection.

In this article, we look at the scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar can help heal eczema. We also describe how to use it and examine the risks.

No high quality research thus far validates that the vinegar can improve eczema symptoms. However, there are a few reasons why it could help.

According to a testimony on the National Eczema Association, adding 2 cups of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath can help moisturize and soothe the skin.

If apple cider vinegar is beneficial for the skin, it may be for the following reasons:

Balancing the skins acidity levels

Acidic substances may improve symptoms of skin conditions, including eczema, by helping restore the skins acidity level. The skin is naturally acidic, which helps it protect against bacterial infection.

Meanwhile, the authors of a study from 2017 concluded that highly alkaline, or basic, soaps and cleansers can irritate the skin and aggravate eczema.

Managing inflammation and infection

Apple cider vinegar may reduce inflammation and infection, according to some laboratory research from 2018.

This suggests that applying it to the skin could reduce eczema-related swelling and help prevent broken skin from becoming infected.

The authors of a 2019 study concluded that adding 34 cups of apply cider vinegar to half a bath of water, or around 20 gallons, might help prevent irritation and inflammation due to chemicals in tap water. The pH level of the bath was around 4.5 and that the water was moderately warm.

The authors recommended this practice for children with contact dermatitis, a type of allergic eczema. However, the findings were based mostly on anecdotal evidence.

Improves the health of the skins barrier

A 2016 mouse study found that applying a vinegar-based cream improved the skins health as a barrier and helped maintain the pH of the skin and stop eczema lesions from forming.

However, researchers have yet to confirm these findings in humans.

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic, and applying it to the skin may cause irritation.

In a small 2021 study, researchers looked at the effects of apple cider vinegar diluted with water at 0.5%. The study included 22 people, 11 with atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, and 11 without. They bathed one arm in the solution and one arm in water for 10 minutes per day for 14 days.

Arms soaked in the vinegar solution decreased in pH levels immediately after soaking but returned to previous levels within 60 minutes.

The scientists found no evidence that the solution improved the microbiome or integrity of the skin barrier. However, 16 of the 22 participants noted mild side effects that improved when they stopped the treatment.

Anyone who is interested in using apple cider vinegar for eczema may want to consider:

checking first with a doctor
using small, diluted amounts of vinegar
monitoring the skin carefully for any reactions
stopping the use of vinegar if a burning sensation or irritation occurs

What are the side effects of apple cider vinegar, and how can people use it safely?

People use apple cider vinegar topically to treat eczema in many ways. For example, by:

Adding it to a warm bath: Mix 2 cups of apple cider vinegar with a warm bath, soak for 15 minutes, and rinse the body in cool water.
Using it in a wet body wrap: Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of warm water. Dip some clean cotton fabric, gauze, or paper towel in the mixture. Apply it to the area affected by eczema for 3 hours or overnight.
Applying it as a hair mask: Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup of sunflower oil. Apply it to the scalp right after a shower. The vinegar may act as a protective barrier for the skin and improve its moisture retention.

Does apple cider vinegar help promote hair growth?

No guidelines or research suggests that apple cider vinegar is safe for infants or babies. One 2015 case report showed vinegar causing burns when applied to the skin. Vinegar may damage an infants sensitive skin.

Speak with a doctor before using apple cider vinegar to treat a babys symptoms.

Here are some questions people often ask about using apple cider vinegar for eczema.

Will apple cider vinegar help with eczema?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar diluted with water can help keep the skin moisturized and prevent inflammation, but there is not enough scientific evidence to confirm this. It may also irritate the skin.

Can I put apple cider vinegar on my itchy skin?

Apple cider vinegar may help reduce itching by lowering inflammation and increasing moisture in the skin, but scientists have not yet confirmed that this is the case. Vinegar can also irritate the skin and it may burn. Speak with a doctor before using it, dilute the vinegar, and do a patch test first.

What gets rid of eczema fast?

Ways of managing eczema symptoms include:

moisturizing regularly with mild, unscented products
avoiding scratching or rubbing the skin
bathing in lukewarm water
applying a cool compress to relieve itching

A doctor may also recommend creams or medications that can help.

Apple cider vinegar may reduce eczema symptoms by restoring the skins acidity levels. Some people report that adding the vinegar to baths helps reduce dryness.

However, it can also cause burns and irritation and may not be suitable for all types of eczema. There is not enough scientific evidence to show it is safe or effective.

Always talk with a doctor before using natural remedies, including apple cider vinegar. It is advisable that people also discontinue use immediately if the skin become more inflamed or irritated.

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Should You Treat a Poison Ivy Rash with Apple Cider Vinegar?

Classic poison ivy rash symptoms include redness, itching, blisters, and swelling. The rash will likely go away after 1-3 weeks. Apple cider vinegar may also help reduce rash symptoms temporarily, but may irritate your skin.

If you think youve been exposed to poison ivy, the first thing to do is wash your skin immediately. Use soap and cool or lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, which may worsen irritation.

Try to wash your skin within five minutes of exposure. During this time, the oil can be removed.

Some people use apple cider vinegar for poison ivy rash, but its important to note that the National Poison Control center does not recommend using vinegar to treat wounds.

The acidity of apple cider vinegar may also cause chemical burns and irritation if used directly on the skin.

Additionally, apple cider vinegar may only provide temporary relief.

There isnt a lot of recent scientific research on the benefits of treating a poison ivy rash with apple cider vinegar. However, it does have a long history of being used in this capacity. As an acid, this home remedy is thought to dry up urushiol, which reportedly relieves itching and speeds up healing.

Before you go a step further and decide to use apple cider vinegar to treat a rash from poison ivy, keep in mind the potential risks.

While it may be tempting to reach for this quick home remedy to treat poison ivy, the lack of real scientific evidence, and a plethora of other proven treatments, may and possibly should deter you from trying.

There are many home remedies for poison ivy rash. These treatments are thought to soothe itching, dry up the rash, and reduce the risk of infection.

Other natural treatments for poison ivy rash include:

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only mentions a cool water compress, colloidal oatmeal bath, and baking soda as home remedies that may actually help. This is because the colloidal oatmeal bath and baking soda may help relieve minor itching and irritation.

After gently washing your poison ivy rash, there are a few common treatments that are almost universally recommended. A few ways to ease the itch of mild cases of poison ivy include:

applying calamine lotion
taking an oatmeal bath
using hydrocortisone cream

Antihistamine pills, like Benadryl, may also help relieve the itch.

More severe cases of poison ivy rash may be treated with corticosteroids or immune suppressants as prescribed by a doctor.

Typically, a poison ivy rash will go away on its own within 1 to 3 weeks. After the first week, it should begin to dry up and fade.

Visit a doctor if your symptoms get worse or dont go away. You should also seek medical attention if you experience the following symptoms:

These symptoms may indicate a severe allergic reaction or skin infection. Additionally, rashes on your face, genitals, and large areas of your body might need prescription medication.

A poison ivy rash is caused by an allergic reaction to poison ivy, a three-leaf plant common in the United States.

The rash is caused by urushiol, a sticky oil found in poison ivy sap. This substance is odorless and colorless. If your skin is exposed to urushiol, you may develop a rash called allergic contact dermatitis.

This can happen if you touch live or dead poison ivy plants. It can also happen if you touch animals, clothes, tools, or camping gear that have come into contact with urushiol. The rash may show up immediately or within 72 hours.

In the United States, a poison ivy rash is the most common allergic reaction. About 25 to 40 million cases of this kind of rash are reported yearly. The rash itself isnt contagious, but the oil can spread to other people.

Symptoms of poison ivy exposure include:

Poison ivy rashes are the most common allergic reactions in the United States. Classic symptoms include redness, itching, blisters, and swelling. Generally, the rash goes away after one to three weeks.

Apple cider vinegar is often touted as a natural home remedy for reducing the symptoms of poison ivy rash. Its said to provide relief by drying up the rash. However, the relief will most likely be temporary, and apple cider vinegar may cause skin irritation.

There are many other simple, inexpensive, and medically sound treatments for the itch caused by poison ivy rash, including calamine lotion, oatmeal baths, and antihistamines like Benadryl.