How to Treat Apple Cider Vinegar Burns

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Apple cider vinegar has been hyped as a home remedy for many skin issues. While most of the time it is safe, it can cause serious burns with prolonged exposure or contact with your eyes. It may also commonly cause skin irritation. [1] Flush the vinegar and care for minor burns at home. If your burn shows signs of infection, consult a doctor just to be on the safe side. [2]

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Flushing the Vinegar

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  1. Gently take off any clothes or jewelry near the burned skin. Try not to pull clothes over the burned area to keep from irritating your skin further. [3]
  2. Turn the faucet on so the stream of water is gentle rather than strong. Rinse the burned area under the cool running water to remove any traces of vinegar and soothe your inflamed skin. Do not rub or scrub your burn as you rinse.
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  3. Remove your glasses or contact lenses if you've gotten vinegar in your eyes. Blink your eyes under a gentle stream of room-temperature water for 20 minutes. [4]
    • If your child has gotten vinegar in their eyes, gently pour the water over the bridge of their nose and encourage blinking. Then, flush their eyes with room-temperature water for 20 minutes in a tub, shower or sink [5] .
  4. Use only clean, fresh water to cleanse burns. Other liquids may further irritate burned skin rather than soothing it. [6]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Caring for the Burn

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  1. After you flush your eyes for 20 minutes with room-temperature water, it's important to seek medical care at an emergency room or walk-in clinic. Burns in the eyes can lead to corneal damage even with rinsing, so it's important to get them assessed by a doctor. [7]
  2. [8] Rub a dime-sized amount of aloe vera gel gently onto your burn with clean hands. [9] Avoid applying analgesic or antiseptic balms that are oil-based, such as Neosporin or petroleum jelly. They can trap heat against the burn and further irritate it. [10]
    • Never apply aloe vera gel to your eyes.
  3. Look in your first aid kit for some clean, sterilized gauze. Wrap the burn loosely to protect it from potential rubbing as you go about your day. [11]
    • Breathable bandages like gauze are better than latex bandages that trap moisture over the burn.
  4. Use nonprescription pain medications, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen, to relieve any minor discomfort your burn causes. [12] Always take these medications as indicated on the manufacturer's directions. If your pain persists, make a doctor's appointment rather than taking additional pain medication. [13]
    • Avoid taking these medications with alcohol, as the combination can be hard on your liver. [14]
  5. Watch your irritated skin in the days following the burn. If you notice any signs of a potential infection, such as the skin feeling hot to the touch, redness, pus, or swelling, consult your doctor. [15]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Preventing Apple Cider Vinegar Burns

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  1. Avoid applying apple cider vinegar to broken or damaged skin. Vinegar is irritating and may make your compromised skin vulnerable to bacterial infections. [16]
    • Your doctor can treat bacterial infections with topical or oral antibiotics.
  2. Minimize skin irritation by not putting vinegar on your face or genitals. This will likely sting and can compromise the integrity of your skin. It is especially important to avoid your eye area. [17]
  3. Rinse your skin and halt your vinegar use if the vinegar stings or inflames your skin. There are no confirmed medical benefits of using vinegar topically. It's best to consult a doctor about any skin concerns rather than trying untested home remedies.
  4. Avoid applying apple cider vinegar to your skin for more than a minute or two at a time, especially not with occlusive dressings, such as bandages. [18] Especially under dressings, vinegar can erode your skin and cause serious burns. [19]
    • Some skin types may be more sensitive to acids like vinegar than others, so it's difficult to advise on a safe level of exposure. [20]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What can I put on a burn to help it heal quickly?
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    Look for pure aloe gel at your local drugstore and apply it to your burn. It will alleviate your pain and inflammation.
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  • Question
    How do you stop a burn from throbbing?
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.
    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    Take over-the-counter pain relievers to help relieve some of the pain from your burn. You can get ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen without a prescription. Follow the directions on the bottle to use them correctly.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Warnings

      • While there are anecdotal reports of apple cider vinegar helping clear up skin issues or remove moles, there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. It's best to stick with products that are meant to be used on your skin. [21]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31328306/
      2. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
      3. ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/acid-and-chemical-burns/
      4. ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/vinegar-164
      5. ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/vinegar-164
      6. ↑ https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4016479/acid-attack-burns-treatment-emergency/
      7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
      8. ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      9. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-best-treatment-for-burns/
      1. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treating-burns/
      2. ↑ https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/4016479/acid-attack-burns-treatment-emergency/
      3. ↑ Mohiba Tareen, MD. FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist. Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.
      4. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/home-remedies-best-treatment-for-burns/
      5. ↑ https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/toxic-liver-disease
      6. ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-treating-burns/
      7. ↑ https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/bacterial-skin-infections/
      8. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
      9. ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/vinegar-164
      10. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
      11. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4479370/
      12. ↑ https://www.dianewaldermd.com/blog/powerful-skin-treatment-comes-straight-pantry

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Apple cider vinegar is used in a variety of home remedies, but it can cause burns if you apply it to your skin undiluted for prolonged periods of time. To treat an apple cider vinegar burn, first rinse the area with cool water for 20 minutes to soothe your skin and flush away any remaining vinegar. Then, apply aloe vera gel to the burn and loosely cover the area with sterilized gauze. Watch for signs of infection while your burn is healing, like redness, pus, swelling, or your skin feeling hot to the touch. Talk to a doctor if you think your burn is infected.

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