The most common type of eczema is atopic dermatitis, which often surfaces during the first six months of life in the form of a red, itchy rash on the arms, legs, and cheeks, notes the National Eczema Association. Sometimes atopic dermatitis disappears as a child grows older, but some children will continue dealing with this skin condition well into adulthood. People with eczema and atopic dermatitis are constantly searching for easy treatment options to help them manage their symptoms. Some claim that apple cider vinegar (ACV) is an effective home remedy for these skin conditions that is both easy and inexpensive. Vinegar — which is made through the fermentation of fruit juices (such as apple cider) and other raw materials (like rice and potato) — has a long history, with the earliest known instance of use dating back more than 10,000 years, according to a review published in the Journal of Food Science. It was commonly used to clean wounds, prevent infection, and treat a variety of health complaints, including stomachache, fever, and inflammation. Today, some say that ACV can help with everything from weight loss to digestion, but the research is limited and inconclusive. But can it help with eczema and atopic dermatitis? Here’s what you need to know.
Can ACV Improve Eczema and Atopic Dermatitis?
ACV may help treat eczema and atopic dermatitis, but it’s hard to say for sure. Unfortunately, the research is pretty thin. Scientists believe that people with eczema tend to have higher, or more alkaline, skin pH levels, and there is some belief that the acidity of ACV can help balance these levels, according to the National Eczema Association. A study published in December 2016 in Annals of Dermatology on mice with atopic dermatitis showed promising results: Mice that were treated with acidic topical vinegar creams had fewer atopic dermatitis–like lesions and reduced eczema severity after three weeks, compared with mice who were treated with neutral cream. Researchers concluded that these improvements were thanks to the acidic creams’ ability to maintain skin pH and the health of the skin barrier, which is weakened in people with atopic dermatitis. The trouble is, we don’t know whether these findings would apply to humans. There is some evidence that ACV has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which is significant because reducing inflammation and infection risk are common concerns for people with eczema and atopic dermatitis. A study published in the January 2018 issue of Scientific Reports found that ACV was effective in stopping the growth of multiple microbial species, including E. coli. ACV also helped suppress the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, a type of protein that triggers an inflammatory response. The study authors believe that the micronutrients in apples, as well as the acetic acid found in vinegar, may be largely responsible for these benefits. However, more research is needed before we can know what implications these findings have on eczema and atopic dermatitis specifically.
Why You Should Approach ACV With Caution
Given the lack of research on ACV and eczema and atopic dermatitis, it may be best to try other treatment options first. “I usually recommend using diluted bleach baths instead of apple cider vinegar,” says Samer Jaber, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Washington Square Dermatology in New York City. Bleach baths involve soaking in a bath of water that’s been mixed with a small amount of bleach for 5 to 10 minutes a few times a week. Instructions on the American Academy of Dermatology website recommend using ½ cup of regular strength (6 percent) plain bleach in a full bathtub of water, or 1 teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water for a baby or toddler. That said, a review published in the November 2017 in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found bleach baths and water baths were equally effective for treating eczema and atopic dermatitis. More research is needed to determine why this is the case. Talk with your dermatologist to find out if bleach baths are a good treatment option for you. In addition, many dermatologists aren’t sold on the effectiveness of ACV. “I have in my practice definitely seen [apple cider vinegar] irritate the skin and cause atopic dermatitis flares when used topically,” Dr. Jaber says. Lauren Ploch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Augusta, Georgia, agrees. “The skin in atopic dermatitis has a weakened barrier, so the effects of things applied to the skin can be augmented,” she says, adding that the skin is more likely to be irritated by things like apple cider vinegar. For this reason, Dr. Ploch recommends using bland skin products if you have eczema or atopic dermatitis. To find eczema-friendly skin products, check the directory on the National Eczema Foundation’s website. When in doubt, talk to your dermatologist about the best treatment options for you.
