I'll have the eczema and a side of vinegar!
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Oh That Itchy Eczema
Anybody that has experienced the joys of eczema, whether it be a small spot on your leg or your whole back can tell you that it's no joy it's hell! A never ending day too day torment. The itching, the puss, the embarrassment of having it on visible parts of your flesh and of coarse the worst part. Getting rid of it once it sets in and claims you as its victim.
Some people are born with it and some just develop the disease over time. I have had eczema my whole life and it has never really reared its ugly head until about eight years ago when it made its horrid presence known and let me know that it's not going away without a fight. I had no idea what it was. Was it shingles, syphilis, maybe a STD? Why oh why did I fool around with those dirty english birds! Down my back it grew, on my shoulders, my lower calf itched worse and worse everyday until it was completely raw and dripping with puss. I poured rubbing alcohol, peroxide and burning hot water all over my body, but it only got worse.
Now I'm not one for doctors and my theory of rubbing alcohol cures all was definitely not working. So it was time to see what the doctor could do for my dirty little secret. The Dr. explained to me it was eczema and prescribed topical cream and antibiotics for my puss leg. Everything cleared up well and besides for little outbreaks I was golden once again.
About a year and a half ago I started getting it bad on my eyelids and cheeks. I would control it with the expensive topical cream, but it would always be back. Eczema would come and go as it pleased, in and out of my life like a half-hearted girlfriend. Enough is enough. I need to end this relationship. Eczema I need you to.... Eczema look at me when I say this... I hate how you make me feel inside... I hate how people are always looking at you when they are talking to me... I hate the expensive dates we have at the pharmacy cause you need that $60 cream... I hate how you keep me up all night asking me to itch you... No, you do not cry!... you mean nothing to me. Get out... Get out of my life!
No Cure for Eczema
Any and every doctor out there will tell you that there is no cure for eczema. Although if you do a google search on "cure for eczema" you will find thousands of pages from people that will sell you their cure in a ebook format for $29.99. Well if their cure really worked they would be making millions on it from the FDA, not selling ebooks. They do contain a wealth of information but I'm still skeptical.
I'm not selling anything except my pitch of what works for me and thousands of other people. It's a cheap product, plenty of free information and I believe it is noted as the worlds oldest medicine.
"Oh what can it be you sexy mysterious wizard" you ask. Well, I will tell you. Vinegar. A nice drink of organic apple cider vinegar for the inside and some cheap white vinegar for the out. I have read many many ways that people use there vinegar so it is finding a way that works for you. I will describe what works for me and the measurements in just a moment.
Plenty of people have claimed that vinegar has actually cured their eczema and maybe after six months of ritual use it has. As for myself all I can say is it keeps it in check. I also have a poor diet and love beer and peanuts which are two allergy triggers for breakouts. That is a big key to your problem right there. Allergy triggers. Try and think about what you were eating when you had a breakout. Eczema can come from having a weak immune system and what your eating can have a huge effect on the disease. Some main triggers are Beer, Milk, Chocolate, Peanuts, Wheat or Whey. Basically anything that taste good can and may be the influence of your trifling ugly ass skin disease.
Oh Waiter, May I Get Another Vinegar Spritzer Please
Is it the best drink you've ever had? No. Does it work? Well according to me and a few other thousand people, yes. If your sick of all the topical creams and ointments then what can it hurt to try it for a month or so and see if it helps.
I like to mix two table spoons of Bragg brand organic apple cider vinegar with about 1/4th teaspoon of baking soda. Once it is done fizzing I add about a half cup of water and chug it down. I do that about two times a day and maybe a one table spoon drink around lunch. Some people drink it straight and some mix with tea and honey. However you take it is up to you. I wouldn't recommend it straight unless you don't mind burning the hell out of your throat and stomach, also ruining your tooth enamel on the way down. When you mix in that little bit of baking soda it neutralizes the acid so it will not eat away at your teeth and be easier for your body to accept by changing the ph value. If you want a more detailed explanation of ph values, your body and chemical reactions either google it or take a chemistry class.
I do not drink it religiously, but I have noticed when I do it has a great effect on my skin. Another upside of the drink is it helps with weight loss and to control appetite for all you fatty's out there. Only drink "organic" apple cider with the mother in it. You can buy it at sunflower market, whole foods or anywhere that sells organic. Do not drink the regular apple cider vinegar, and do not drink white vinegar.
Why Have a Golden Shower When You Can Have a White Vinegar Shower!!
It may be sick to think about but your pee is a natural antiseptic. It kills germs and bacteria just as good as any other. So all you woman that think it's nasty your man pees in the shower, he's actually cleaning it and curing his smelly athlete's feet at the same time. Yeah!
It may be fine for feet but nobody, let me rephrase that, the majority of the general public do not want to use pee as a cleansing agent. I can't say white vinegar smells any better than the former mentioned product but it does do wonders for eczema. First a little warning. It burns, it burns bad on open wounds, it burns worse than that case of gonorrhea you picked up in Tijuana with your frat brothers. Some get around the burn by watering it down, but really it is only about a minute or two of burning sensation.
Rinse your body, then use a spray bottle or sponge and cover your body in vinegar just like you would with body wash. Turn off the water listen to a song or two on the radio and let that vinegar clean all the bacteria and allergens off your body. Turn the water back on and wash that stank smell away. If you can don't use soap after that, but I understand sometimes you can't get the smell off and nobody wants to walk around smelling like fish and chips.
Apple cider or white vinegar also works great when you blot it on eczema cursed areas but be warned they will be bright red for a few hours or even a day. If you have eczema on your face water down the vinegar or apply it on a weekend so you won't be embarrassed or self conscious about your virus ridden face.
I Love The Flowers But I'll Never Take You Back!
It's easy to say hi to eczema and hard as hell to say goodbye. So the first step should be looking at your diet for what's causing your outbreaks and try and cut them out off your everyday life. my favorite food groups are beer, dairy, and nuts. All of which I have allergies to and cause breakouts. Now I try and drink vodka, my milk is skim or fat free and I only eat protein enriched nuts. Second try the vinegar showers and drink. If nothing else for you has worked, then it won't hurt to try.
I may make another article diving into more detail about the chemistry, benefits and many uses of vinegar. If you think that would be useful send me a message or comment. If you think I missed a key point, need to add more detail on something leave a comment. If vinegar has worked for you or you had a bad experience with it please leave info for us all to learn from.
I hope I gave you all a few laughs and a lot of insight on what we can do to make our disease a little more bearable.
***Sorry that I have to post this. I appreciate all the comment and help that people have to offer, but I'm not willing to have my page shut down because you wish to post links, whether they are helpful to the cause or helpful to your company. At this point all comments that include links will now be deleted.*****
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I'm 17 and my eczema this winter (I'm from Australia) has been the worse out of all these years - I don't even remember it ever bothering me to this extent. I can't control my itching, I get so angry and them I scratch it out to my heart's content. I want to stay away from corticosteroids but every time I go without it for a while, my skin's condition goes 100 times worse than before, literally! I will never touch those steroid creams anymore. I've bought some Apple Cider Vinegar but I'm so scared of the sting, but I've noticed how when I apply it on, it really does stop itching after a while. Thanks for making this website, I'm SO glad that it wasn't one of the 1000 scam websites you were talking about, out to make a profit. How could people try to make profits out of people suffering from eczema, it's such a painful and disgusting disease they have no idea. I hate talking and meeting new people now because they can't help but stare at my eczema. I get it! It's ugly! I really hope Apple Cider Vinegar works for me, it's just so hard to keep the habit of consuming and applying it. But today I will try to keep it up long term, and see how it goes. I really want to rid of this before my Graduation Formal! I have 3 more months and I want it to disappear ......
By the way, how does your eczema look now? Is it very unnoticeable?
Thanks for the website again!
You can contact me on ys_tanya@hotmail.com by the way.
Thanksthanksthanks!
Tayna,
Thanks for your comment. The hard part of the treatment is like you said, just keeping up with it. And to answer your question, yes for the most part my eczema stays clear but I'm a glutton for punishment so I can't stay away from beer and all the goodies I love that I know give me break-outs. Lately I have also been drinking a lot of green tea (not from the store containing corn syrup) I just make a large pot of it and drink it throughout the day, I believe thats been helping out my system and keeping my skin hydrated.
I have also been trying to stay calm and less stressed out lately and I believe that has had an impact on my skin as well. It may sound weird but I think listening to relaxation mp3's before I go to bed has been helping. If you click on my profile name look for a write-up I did about hypnosis, don't bother reading it but scroll to the bottom and click where it says free MP3 sessions download some of the relaxation ones and try them on your ipod or whatever.
I hope all this helps.
hey dude, I find it amusing u write ur experience on ezcema as a guy, I myself am trying to "control" mine since it break out horribly when I enter college. Bad timing to rear it's head. But since then I try to be calm & stress free as possible, avoid going out to the sun, drinking each hour of plain water, green tea, ACV and fruit + veggie juice daily. I drink alot.
There was a time my skin broke out all over my body & it was so painful when touches water, so I skip around from bathing. Like it was a psychological thing, prefer not to shower. Now I force myself to bath with cold water only, never hot. And quickly apply a layer of moisturizer, olive oil, coconut oil and sometimes cortizone cream before my skin dry out.
I used to be tired of maintenance, but it's like exercise & diet. We need to keep up the momentum & continue to jump through hurdles as an eczema sufferer. I'm not gonna admit it as a part of me, as I believe one day it will be totally clear. As urs also, I wish u to have a healthier skin & continue to educate & inspire others :)
And this is my first comment after reading so many eczema ppl's blogs. Take care... (pearloon@yahoo.com)
Hey Chick20,
I'm glad you were inspired to write a comment and giving some good advice too. I do hope this page helps people and I try to add my own twisted sense of humor to the situation. It sucks but it is something we need to deal with.
I try to go for the cold showers and I notice my skin is a lot better when I do take cold showers, but sometimes I can't help not turning up that hot water.
Like you said drink tons of water, and get your exercise on!
My sister swears by a light vinegar rub for her and her husband's eczema. I think she got the idea indirectly from me. Her husband suffered from chronic athletes foot. He had to medicate regularly but it would always come back. This had gone on for years. She never got athletes foot yet they used the same shower. I suggested she spray her shower floor with white vinegar after every use. She did and some time later her husband mentioned that he hadn't had problems with athletes foot in a long time. He hasn't had it now for years. Both my sister and I use white vinegar to wash floors, toilets, tubs etc regularly. It is a great natural germ killer. I spray in and around the toilet daily and once a week it gets a good scrubbing with laundry detergent and then a vinegar rinse.
I didn't try her vinegar idea for my eczema. However, two weeks ago I began consuming a tablespoon (15ml) pure coconut oil (some call it virgin) two or three times a day (less when I cooked with it) and applying it to my infected leg, also about two or three times a day. My itching stopped and slowly the purple hard spots began to lighten and soften. The little bumps, however, have not gone away but improvement is noticeable.
After talking to my sister about my eczema again and reading this article, I have decided to use a vinegar rinse after showering in the morning (whole body and infected leg) and a quick rinse with the vinegar before I go to bed. I will forgo the coconut oil application for a week to see how the vinegar alone works. I will get back to make a further comment about my new routine. I may eventually add a further toping of coconut oil to the eczema once the vinegar has dried but want to see how the vinegar works alone, first. I will report again with my results for vinegar alone and my combination. In the meantime I will continue cooking with and eating coconut oil- check out the internet for info on this wonderful product- and I will add apple cider to my diet.
Namaste,
mhikl
Just a quick update. I stopped using the coconut oil on my skin (though I still consume at least 2 T a day) because I wanted to see how vinegar alone worked on my skin. Seems to work improvements faster than coconut oil. Vast improvement - sores lightened from original deep purple to very light pink or less. Still itchy if I forget to spray vinegar (should do it 4 times daily). Some scratching has slowed progress, I think.
Shall now rub coconut oil on after sprayed vinegar has dried to see if this will heal the eczema more. Am incorporating the apple cider vinegar into my diet, as well.
Will be back for a further comment regarding the two items, vinegar spray and coconut application.
Namaste,
mhikl
Thank you so much for this artical! I have been suffering from eczema all over my body for 8 years now. I have used every thing from steroids to... well you name it I've used it! Well anyhow, I am definetly going to try this. Does anyone know if it works well for head eczema? I have it super bad on my head. Also I wanted to share somting with all you other eczema sufferers. I have just started to use lemon on my eczema. All I do is cut a lemon in half and in the tub I squeeze the jucie over my spots. It work pretty well. Also I use Trader Joe's lavendar body scrub too. The ingredients are all natural but it might sting a little because its a salt scrub. For me it works well. When I get out of the tub I gently rub in extra vergin olive oil, but only at night, otherwise you will get oil all over your house.
I also take primrose oil capsuls, 2 a day. Since using I've noticed a differece. Oh, one more thing. Get out in the sunshie! Being in the sun kills the bad bacteria. I never liked going outside because of my ugly patches, but it helps me. Even if you sit out in your back yard for a few minutes get outside.
I want to thank all of you for your very usefull comments! I hope that mine will help you. I know how terrible it is to have this stupid condition.
Tonight Im going to try using vinegar.
Katie,
Thanks for your comment and for offering other alternatives for people to try. I hope vinegar works for you, but like your olive oil and lemon if you apply it directly to your skin do it at night because it will be glowing red.
As for getting some sunshine, that works for some and for others it only makes it worse. For me it really helps. It is all trial and error to figure out this horrible condition.
When you ask if it works on head eczema I'm not sure if you mean your face or scalp. I use it on my forehead and it helps, as for your scalp, vinegar is also a treatment for dandrift (excuse the spelling) so it should help reduce itching there as well.
Writen4u,
You'r welcome! I have to say I have used vinegar on my scalp and already it is almost gone. I am so happy!
I am so sorry that I forgot to mention that!
I am sorry to say you are right sunshine does not work for eveybody. It is just a matter of finding out what works for your body.
Thank you for this very informative article. In India eczema is controlled by rubbing Neem oil on the effected areas of the skin and many people say it helps a lot. I am not sure where one can get Neem oil in Europe and USA. I believe going back to nature and using things like ACV and Neem oil will help a lot with many ailments.
"Some main triggers are Beer, Milk, Chocolate, Peanuts, Wheat or Whey" - How do you get tested to find out what the triggers are? My doctor seems to think my eczema is not triggered/worsenedy by food but I know he doesn't have a basis for his theory.
Thanks so much for your post. I think that laughing is helping my eczema already! We'll have to wait and see if the vinegar helps-the stinging is building character at least and gives me the opportunity to use all the swear words I know.
Don,
You should be able to get a food allergy test from your doctor.
I don't know what the connection is between certain foods/products and eczema but just google "beer and eczema" for example. Different things just make some peoples skin worse.
Megda,
I'm glad it gave you a laugh, some people don't get my sense of humor at all. After awhile the sting starts to go away after its cleared up some, just don't keep itching it!
Thank you, Writen4u, I'll see the doc now. I've had so much trouble sleeping lately. Started drinking ACV 3 but I don't think it's helping. I'll keep it up until I finish the bottle though. I haven't really tried putting it directly to my skin yet. I can't afford to smell like pickles :)
Don,
Try putting it on your skin on a weekend, once it dries you shouldn't stink. Do some jumping jacks to make sure your sweat doesn't stink once it starts flowing again.
Some guy at a boxing gym I used to go to used to cover himself with vinegar and not wash it off. The smell was so bad it would make half of us come to a state of pure nausea. Every-time we had to run by his spot I wanted to barf. So I completely understand your fear of smelling like pickles.
I have yet to have a problem with stank when drinking or showering with vinegar. The smell should die off fast, it's not like eating a garlic clove for your heart then smelling like garlic for three days.
Ok, so about two weeks of using the ACV-topically and drinking it-and it seems to be working as well as the steroid creams did. Rashes stop itching instantly and more or less go away after a day or so. But, I still get major break outs on areas that have been clear for weeks. I have had no luck at figuring out what triggers the outbreaks, what test do i need to ask my Dr. for to figure this out? My Dr. (Like Don's) seems to think that there is no food or allergy connection.
A really good way to stop the itching is by using dove soap when taking a shower or bath and right after you get out of the shower apply aveeno lotion to your affected areas when its wet, Doing this will stop the itching. The dove soap helps you because it has lotion and helps keep your skin moisturized. I do this every day and it isn't itchy anymore! I hope this helps, it did for me and you will feel relived because I know how annoying that itch could be. Don't forget to apply the lotion when your skin is damp!
add small amount or baking soda and peroxide and mix ,,the apply to your skin ,,,,it works for my daughter skin .she suffered eczema for 3 yrs ..apply to skin 2x a day and vigin coconut oit after the venigar
I tried the white vinegar this morning on seborrich (spelling?) eczema on my face arond my mouth & nose & up between my eyes Before going to bed cause I work nights at the hospital. It was fire engine red & hurting, oozing,& itching. The itch almost immediately stopped. Then it began to sting some, but was tolerable. Had to keep eyes closed due to fumes for a minute. Then went to bed. When I got up this afternoon the redness was gone & oozing was as a minimum, but there was itching. Inflamation was considerablly reduced also :0) Just reapplied & lying back down. Stung again ~ but got btr results in 1 application of this than anything else in the past 3 to 4 months. I just white vinegar since I already had this in the cabinet. Will post again in a week or so with an update! My scalp is getting it next!
Michelle,
Glad it's helping, when I say it stings up there, It Stings!.
Please give an update in a week or two.
Well guys I woosed out because after already dealing with this oozing eczema for 4 months I just couldnt take it any longer being a lady & this on my face around my nose, mouth, & eyes. The inflammation was gone one day then the next back with a vengence plus thicker scales. Not tge vinegars fault, this is typical for eczema. So I went out on a limb & did something different you dont usually hear about cause most people do not have access to this acid. I work in the beauty industry so I myself have access to glycolic acid, which is used for chemical facial peels. Seeing that sebborich eczema is recognized as a fungus, I thought the acid may kill it. However, you are not supposed to put this acid on compromised skin because it can penetrate & cause deep dermal damage which can leave pockets & scars. Therefore I made a VERY weak solution of this & tested an area of normal skin which felt no tingle from the application. I then applied the same dilution to the areas of eczema. Let sit for 1 minute & rinsed w/ cold water. I then applied vitamin E oil to the areas as well. Later in the day went back to check the areas & gently wiped w/ a wash cloth drenched in cold water. All the eczema came off. But I wasnt sure it had killed the fungus. I reapplied a heavy layer of Vitamin E oil rubbing it in. the areas still felt dry before I applied. I did this twice a day for 2 days & applied spf 50 before going outside at anytime. Also have avoided makeup! Most makeup is full of chemicals. Do not use it while recovering from a peel! It will irritate to no end! Tonight before bath time I doused a washcloth in cold water to remove the oil from my face. I had some scaling still on my face but appeared to be from the peel & not eczema. Since not able to get pure salacytic acid at this hour I grabbed a jar of carmex which also cantains cooling camphor &smeared some on these areas for about 10 minutes. Got into the tub took my cloth again & washed my face, but w/ a little more aggitation. I expected when I got out of the tub to see the leather Im use to, but was thrilled to see somewhat pinkish red, but normal smooth skin with only a couple of scales! I then took pure aloe & put it on my face along with a powder I formulated out of silk & pearl powder & dusted it over my face. Silk & pearl powders have approx 21 aminos which naturally reside in the body to help build healthy skin. I am taking the ACV internally as well & will continue to report. If anyone would like to seek similar treatment see a local well experienced esthatician who can evaluate your skin. I do not know as of yet if this is totally gone for sure, but my face looks the most normal it has in 4 months. Rx treatments didnt even do this for me & my patience just ran out before giving ACV a full chance! What can I say! Im a single woman & work in the beauty industry. I just couldnt take it any longer.
I used white vinegar as a hair rinse, after shampooing it, because I had eczema on my scalp that reached the height of itching during the night, when i tend to sweat. I take maybe half a cup of white vinegar and put another 1/2 cup of cold water. Then, after shampooing, I poor it over my head. The itch magically disappears and it stays that way for a good 2-3 days.
I have also, just today, used the same vinegar mixture and dabbed it over my body, wherever I had eczema which was itching, (I did it after i took a shower, then rinced it off after about 1 minute) and the itching is gone. It's been about 1 hour now, and no itching.
I actually met with a Doctor last April who got rid of my eczema in total within 12 days or so using a combination of UV light therapy and steriods coupled with 5 days of antibotics. It worked. After having eczema for over 30 years on every part of my body, it was gone, gone, gone. It still comes back but he gave me steriod creams to use to keep it in check. I was recently sick from the flu, so I stopped using any medicine that was immune surpressing, hence, my eczema reared its head.
OH well.
All the best to everyone.
..hi buddy..
..i also suffer from eczema since childhooh..
..it's really shame when people around ask about it..
..i just wanna know does apple cider vinegar really works for eczema..?
..and how do u take it as a medication..?
Anisalisha,
Great comment. You're asking me, the one who wrote the article if it works? No it does not.
How do you take it? Just chug a whole bottle.
Now for every one else that knows how to read. The above article covers these questions in full.
I have had some sort of rash since a baby...bad baby rash (my mom said the doctor advised NOT to put anything on it and she bought some sort of cream from the drugstore, probably steroids), hives as a youngster and into middle age occasionally, and now eczema.
I am so glad you wrote about the apple cidar vinegar (loved the humor!). In the past four months, I have tried just about everything. I currently am on a homeopathic remedy, which I obtained from an East Indian homeopathic doctor. He and his sister say that it may take up to a year to get it to stop from coming back, because the causes have been around for so long, and it will leave by layers. They also say not to use the steroid creams, because they suppress the symptoms that may come back as asthma or hives or whatever.
In any case, I am totally into natural remedies, and will try the cidar. I am tired of the itching. I am also going to go to a counselor to talk about mental issues, issues from childhood, etc. My sister and I read Louise Hay's book...Heal Your Illness. We believe that any illness has a corresponding mental/emotional/spiritual cause. I have issues, as does everyone, that I believe may be contributing to my lifelong skin problems. We'll see how it goes. I'll let you know in a few months how things are with that.
Thanks for all the info, nice to know I am not alone.
Oh, a couple of other things I have investigated. I follow an Ayurvedic diet about 80% of the time. Basically, eczema is a Pitta imbalance, and without going into details about what that means, they advise following a diet that is totally fresh food, no leftovers, no dairy, no meat, no preservatives, organic.
Here is what I eat, and am going to really go all out this year 2012 in following this diet without exception. Watch the movie, "Forks Over Knives" and you will see why many follow similar diets:
Breakfast - Cooked apple or pear, with organic hot cereal or toast with ghee.
Lunch - I cook this every morning and put it in a small Thermos - Cooked grain (rice, cous cous, quinoa, etc.), cooked vegies, maybe tofu or nuts.
Dinner - Same as lunch. Light soup is best,no heavy proteins.
Snacks...maybe an afternoon apple or pear, fresh, or juiced fruits or vegies or dates.
I am also going to go gluten free, at least I will eat sprouted wheat bread because the gluten free is so awful.
Anyone that has cash might want to look into a week long retreat at the Raj in Fairfield Iowa or the Chopra Center in California. They work with auto immune disorders as well as general need to detox/refresh/learn to meditate, etc. I may go if diet and counseling or apple cidar do not work! Take care.
May,
Thanks for your insight. I think I would rather have messed up skin than eat that stuff everyday! Sounds horrible and I love meat, cheese, milk and sugar! I'm making my self hungry, I'm going to burger King!
Thanks for your comments.
Ha! I do get what you are thinking about my eating plan. However, when you start really looking at what is in food and read the labels for ingredients, you appreciate food that is as close to its natural state as possible. Consider this; I would say 90% of the food sold in the mainstream grocery stores, that is to say, any store that is not mostly organic foods, is produced by large companies (and small) that really could care less about your health. Their bottom line is the dollar. They do not care about the use of pesticides, additives, hormones, etc., if it increases their profits.
Same goes for the fast food that you love. The animals they raise are in pain (I won't go into this further, that gets into personal choices), the ingredients are really awful and FULL of junk.
I think the ingredients that you love are okay to like, but maybe take a closer look at fast food, and where your food comes from. Organic meat (that has been raised humanely), cheese that is free of additives or GBH milk, and sugar cane sugar.
BTW, I did start gluten free this week. I do hope this helps. I AM going to go get mental health counseling as well. Emotions can really show on the skin.
I've had eczema for as long as I can remember (started at age 8 mos, am 28 now), and am stoked to give this a try... not a super-patient person by nature but this seems reasonable.
Just wanted to share something else - for a short period of time, I had absolutely no symptoms of eczema, which was while I was seeing a naturopathic doctor. I've seen dozens in my life (along with dermatologists, herbalists, homeopaths, acupuncturists, etc. etc.), but only one actually made a difference.
He tested me for allergies etc. and put me on a "candida-cleanse" type diet for 2 weeks (which sucked, but was tolerable knowing that it was short-term). He then put me on some supplements/herbs to help my liver - he said that it is common for people with eczema to have liver-related issues like being a cheap drunk (yay me!) etc. I was free & clear for about 2 years, but then stopped seeing him because it was too damn expensive, and I eat way too much sugar and caffeine to have kept it at bay. My most recent outbreak happened hours after a big fight with a sibling, so I know that stress aggravates my skin. My hands look like a mix between raw hamburger, leprosy, and the Big Bang, so I am really hoping that I have some success with the vinegar process :)
Oh, and thanks for your Susan-Clark-Rachel-Whatever-FREE site for eczema suggestions, I really appreciate it :)
Really enjoyed reading your article and im in the process of drinking ACV and applying white vinegar on my eczema during shower times. I was just wondering about how long will it take before i see results? I recently had an staph infection so my doctor prescribed me some medicine which was "chindamycin", i had a total of 40 pills to take which i had to take 4 a day. on monday i took my last pill, just yesterday i have had red bumpy patches everywhere on my body, and my face is so red, could this be an allergic reaction? Or it affected my eczema? I never had it all over my body before and its very itchy and disgusting and embarassing. Im on the way to the doctor now to see what they have to say.
hi guys okay so the food thing that cause your eczema is wait for it...... sugars carbs and yeast!
It is a problem to eat any sugars (fruit ones too) also carbs, like bread and all yeast its also found in lots of things you'd be surprised by too so watch for that, btw normal vinegar (not this one) can give you big problems too! all these things feed the bad gut flora which then = eczema.
Yes so basically everything you love gives your red itchy scales of death right? well me too :(
I have this horrid mess on my face hence me wanting to help others, not gain $9.99 for some shabby ebook, the sellers of such drivel all should be slapped with one.
So your left eating ONLY meat, and veggies no processed meats or anything else, its called the candida diet, boring but true lol ;)Read up on it, its very helpful, yeah I can say that and still crave pepsimax and candy cane peeps :s but I'm still red raw, I should know better :p and take my own advise!
You need to eat probiotics too, like natural yoghurt and Sauerkraut etc, they help get your gut flora back to normal (as that's the cause of ezema)
I cant get the cider with the mother load to try it out here, as I'm in the UK sadly, so can I curse now? hee hee!
Good luck peeps :)
So, went to a chiropractor that says I am gluten sensitive. It has been a month now that I am not on any gluten products. Haven't seen any difference in the skin, but my digestion is better! Also am trying Omega 3, 6, 7, 9 pills with emu oil, emu lotion. I am going to try another chiropractor that does the same muscle testing as the first one did, just as a sort of test...won't tell her what the other one said, and will see what she comes up with.
I am trying to stay positive and am knowing that I am free already of eczema and have my smooth skin again. I have this feeling that hormones come into play somehow...I am 54 years old.
Also thought it interesting about someone else's comment about the liver...I drank alot as a teenager/20's, and have alot of dental work, amalgams that are supposedly hard on livers. So, am having the metal fillings taken out ASAP...over the course of the next six months.
Anyway, sounds fun, right??!! On to health...yippee!
Been drinking for a week, no signs of improvement. Will try for another few weeks and give yall updates.
Thank you for this article! I drank for years and finally had to quit for health reasons. So now that I am all healthy again, I have a lovely case of eczema and it keeps spreading. I gave up on the $110 tubes of steroid cream that would work when they felt like it, and some over the counter lotions seem to work at like a tube a day. The food allergies is a definite consideration! Wouldn't really know where to begin. Strange, all the years I drank beer and no issues.... oh well, tonight I will be showering with Vinegar and crossing my fingers! I farm for a living and the eczema is really tough with this kind of work! Thanks again, I'll try to find the 'mother load' cider vinegar! Best Regards!
Here I am again. I have been off of gluten AND dairy for two months (since I last wrote). No improvement in the skin, unfortunately, and beyond the insane itching I experience, I am feeling great, at least when I get some sleep at night.
Every night, I take an antibiotic, Atarax, that helps me sleep, does nothing for the itch. I have been up crying and frustrated over the itchy rash that I have all over. I feel like my life is on hold sometimes.
I have gone to a total of three chiropractors, one homeopathic doctor, one naturopathic doctor, two dermatologists, and two general practitioners in the last seven months (very expensive). Result: No skin improvement!
My medical doctor did recommend that I drink apple cider, and wow, what a difference in my digestion (won't go into details). I have the feeling that since my digestion was off for so many years, that perhaps that has a big impact on my skin. So, hoping to see a gradual improvement in the skin.
I am coming to the conclusion that either this will take a long time to get back into balance with physical remedies, OR it is more of an emotional/spiritual/mental issue. I have started seeing a counselor for life-long problems, nothing serious but things that I have carried to myself for too long. If that has a connection to the skin, then so be it. We'll see.
Anyway, this weekend I am going to have a thermal body scan. I want to know if there are internal disorders, as has been suggested by different things I have read, etc.
The interesting thing is ALL of the above practitioners, with the exception of the dermatologists, say that eczema CANNOT be treated topically...it is an internal disease, most often something to do with the gut. Plus, ALL of the same people say do not use the steroid creams. They say that all the creams do is disrupt the immune system, shut it down, and force the problem deeper into another area. Well, I have resorted to the creams a few times when I absolutely could not stand the intense itch. After a week of using it, the rash improves but my skin feels horrible, like I just slept out in the desert.
I tried just about every possible cream that mentioned eczema on the tube. Hardly anything helps. The only thing that sort of helped when my back was crazy itchy was an analgesic emu oil spray that numbs the skin a bit.
One other thing I have tried is having my hubby apply warm almond oil to my back at night or early eve. That feels good, and sort of helps with the weird dry quality the skin has.
I'll keep you posted on the diet effects, and other things I try. I am not going to quit on this.
Thanks for the update May. I don't know if you're fat or not or overly stressed out, but make sure you exercise too. I just started a new job and my stress level dropped 100% and my skin is looking better just from that. I've also started working out more helping to push the toxins out of my body.
I just can't kick the beer and sugar, hell I'm drinking now! Keep us updated on what works that's natural.
Hi, I am also a fellow sufferer. My breakouts have thankfully been mostly on my hands/fingers unless other areas are exposed to metal buttons, earrings..etc.
My latest annoyance has been eczema in the ear canals and I've been researching it online with some scary results. But your vinegar was mentioned, it was suggested that I mixed a concoction of 1/2 part white vinegar and 1/2 part rubbing alcohol. It said to dip a q-tip in the mix and rub inside ears and down canal.
Just wondering if you have heard from anyone who has it in the ear or has tried anything like this, I am a little skeptical about putting vinegar and alcohol in my ear??
Very much enjoyed your sense of humor in original article as well as to the person who couldn't read..lol.
I have been suffering with eczema for years and after steroid tablets, steroid creams, Puva therapy, phototherapy, use of all different creams the hospital now only have to offer me tablets that have ridiculous side effects. I dont want to take the tablets but at the moment Im struggling to find another option with how depressed its getting me, any advise on creams or any other remidies?
Melissa
If you're looking for a natural remedy, try reading the article and other peoples comments.
I find that applying Milk of Magnesia to my eczema helps a lot. Maybe try that too. It sure stings less than vinegar. But thank you for the tip. It was very interesting. :)
Hey There, I came across this page a week ago when doing a search Eczema and Vinegar. My skin has troubled me for years starting around my early 20's and I've tried every cream, soap and lotion I can find but have never found a cure. ( I'm now 38 ) This year I went to my Doctor for blood tests, all common food allergens came back negative and I got a re-confirmation of my allergy to dust, pollen, and pet hair ( hayfever !!! ) that I have been aware of since my early teens. Anyway ... I saw a natural doctor recently and she gave me pills and creams ( none worked for me ) but she also suggested a vinegar bath, this got me reading up on vinegar and eczema and that led me to your page.
1 week ago I purchased both white and apple cider vinegar ( no mother, just clear vinegar ) and have been using the white vinegar on myself in the shower using a spray bottle once a day and rinsing off after 30 seconds and have been drinking just 20ml of the apple cider in a small glass of water 3 times a day.
So far, my skin is clearing. My forearm ( which is the worst affected ) is looking amazing, it's been peeling like sunburnt skin and looking clear underneath and so far I have not broken out again, this is the best it's looked in years.
Anyone reading your page wondering if it's worth a try, give it a go, so far it's working for me. Thanks Simon
Thanks Simon I'm glad it's working out. The hard part is to continue using it once your skin starts looking good.
Hi there, I have suffered from eczema for 30 years, thankful to add, it has never been in any visible places. However I have from the start been affected on the scalp, and a few years later, it spread to my ears. -So hopefully “Kat” will see this.- I was advised by my doctor, to rinse my ears with vinegar, using a small syringe, I then rubbed a small amount of Sudo-cream on a q-tip, inside the ear. This would almost keep it at bay. These days I only use the Sudo-cream, which I definitely must use all the time.
Ann.
Wendy 22 months ago
My 6 year old son has severe eczema. I wash his clothes in white vinegar and also use it to mop the floors and clean the showers ( It gets rid of mould really easy). So far so good. I am thinking of adding a little lavender oil or something to the washing though because vinegar doesn't have that nice just been washed smell!) Although clothes do come out much softer than usual which is nice since I can't use fabric softener! :)