Some people try alternative medicines and home remedies to help relieve eczema symptoms like itchy, flaky, or dry skin. Some MyEczemaTeam members have shared that apple cider vinegar (ACV) gives them some relief.

“When I’m at my wit’s end with itching, I apply ACV right on my arms, back, neck, and torso,” one member said. “It does work for a short period of time.”

While ACV may be helpful for some people with eczema, it doesn’t work for everyone. Read on to learn what the research says about this home remedy.

Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help With Eczema?

To understand whether apple cider vinegar may help treat eczema symptoms, it’s important to know what ACV is. This type of vinegar is made by fermenting apple juice twice. This process produces acetic acid, a naturally occurring substance in plants. ACV also has probiotics (friendly bacteria for your immune system), and antioxidants, which protect your cells from environmental damage.

So far, there’s not much scientific evidence to prove that ACV has health benefits for managing skin conditions like eczema. In one small study, 11 people with atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) and 11 without it soaked one arm in diluted apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes every day for two weeks. They soaked their other arm in plain water for the same amount of time. The study authors aimed to evaluate whether applying ACV to the skin would help improve the skin’s microbiome, or the balance of bacteria.

Researchers found no differences in the amount of bacteria on the skin after using the ACV soaks compared to the water soaks — for either group.

More studies are needed to evaluate whether apple cider vinegar can help people with eczema. Though it may be tempting to assume that natural remedies like ACV are completely safe, they can still cause side effects. ACV, for example, can irritate sensitive or broken skin.

If you’re considering using ACV, it’s important to know how it may impact your eczema symptoms. Always talk to your doctor before trying apple cider vinegar.

Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help Balance Skin’s pH Levels?

Healthy skin has a protective barrier that’s slightly acidic. This helps keep moisture in and irritants out. People with eczema have higher skin pH levels — that is, more alkalinity and less acidity. ACV may help balance pH levels in some people.

In general, pH levels range from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic the skin is. While healthy skin has a pH of around 5.5, people with eczema usually have higher pH levels. A person’s skin pH level can change with age. A high pH level may disrupt the protection provided by the skin’s acidic barrier. This is one reason that soaps, which have an alkaline pH, can worsen eczema. When your skin’s pH is too high, it can:

• Cause your skin’s moisture to evaporate too quickly, causing dryness
• Allow irritants to exist on the skin, leading to redness or inflammation
• Make your skin more sensitive to things like wind, sun, and chemicals

Healthcare professionals say more evidence is needed to prove that ACV can help balance pH levels in the skin of people with eczema. But if your dermatologist agrees, it may be safe to try and see if it helps.

Apple Cider Vinegar Might Help With Itching

ACV may work to calm itchy skin, also called pruritus.

One MyEczemaTeam member said, “Apple cider vinegar gives almost instant relief from itchy, hot patches. It also seems to help speed up healing.”

Another member said, “I use it on my scalp and then rinse it out after massaging it in. It has done wonders for my itching scalp.”

While some people say ACV helps relieve itching, there haven’t been studies to show ACV works specifically for eczema-related itchiness. Always check with your dermatologist or another doctor before trying any new treatment method — even natural remedies.

Watch for Potential Side Effects

ACV can cause side effects such as skin irritation in some people, especially if you use too much. ACV may cause chemical burns if applied too frequently, so make sure to not overuse it. Stop using ACV if it causes burning or changes in your skin. Never apply ACV to open wounds, sores, or skin infections.

Drinking ACV isn’t usually recommended for eczema. Because ACV is very acidic, drinking it can sometimes damage tooth enamel, cause mouth and throat issues, and upset the stomach.

ACV can also interact with certain medicines, such as insulin and diuretics (water pills). Whether you plan to drink ACV or put it on your skin, talk to your doctor first to make sure it’s safe to take with your medications.

Be Cautious With ACV Around Children

If you want to use ACV to help a child’s eczema, be very careful. When applied to the skin undiluted, it can burn a child’s skin. Only use ACV if your child’s dermatologist says it’s safe, and be sure to ask how much water to mix with it before applying.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Itchy Skin

ACV can be used in several ways to treat itchy skin. Ask your dermatology team or other healthcare provider what method they recommend for you.

Patch Testing

If your doctor says it’s OK to use ACV on your skin, test it on a small area first. Wait a few days to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction. To lower the risk of irritation, mix ACV with water before applying it to affected areas.

Topical Application

Some MyEczemaTeam members say that putting diluted ACV on their skin helps with their symptoms. There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence yet, but here’s what some people have shared:

• “Today, I mixed apple cider vinegar and water and applied it with a cotton ball. Much less itching and the redness is going away!”
• “I applied apple cider vinegar diluted with water. It cleared up redness and itching.”
• “When I had a recent flare-up, I wiped apple cider vinegar on the itchiest areas, then applied eczema relief cream. It gave me some relief.”

Apple Cider Vinegar Bath for Eczema

The National Eczema Association suggests trying an ACV bath. Add 1 cup to 1 pint of ACV to warm (not hot) bathwater. Soak in the tub for five to 10 minutes. When you get out, pat your skin dry with a towel and apply your usual moisturizer.

One member said this method helped as much as a traditional eczema bleach bath. “I was doing bleach baths suggested by my dermatologist,” they wrote. “I switched to unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Both feel good to the skin.”

Another member shared that they were managing the itch with apple cider vinegar and coconut oil in the bath, adding, “Strange, but it works wonders!”

Wet Wrap Therapy

You can also try using ACV in a wet wrap. Wet wrap therapy may help relieve severe eczema flare-ups and soothe painful, itchy skin.

To do this, soak a clean washcloth in diluted apple cider vinegar. Place the wet cloth on the area of skin with eczema and leave it there for several minutes. After removing it, gently pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer.

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Right for You?

ACV may help calm irritated skin, but eczema is different for everyone. People have different eczema triggers, and what works for one person may not work for another. While ACV won’t treat the root cause of eczema, it might help relieve some eczema symptoms.

Some people may feel a little better after trying apple cider vinegar soaks, baths, or wraps. But managing eczema symptoms usually requires a combination of treatments. Always talk to your doctor or dermatologist before trying new eczema treatment regimens, even home remedies.

Find Your Team

MyEczemaTeam is the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones. Here, members from around the world come together to swap stories and advice, discuss daily life with eczema, and meet others who understand the diagnosis.

Have you tried apple cider vinegar for eczema? Did it help with your symptoms? Share your experience in the comments below or by posting on your Activities page.