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Apple Cider Vinegar: The Secret Cure To Keloids

By Njideka Agbo
06 December 2017   |   11:00 am
From conditioning your hair and acting as a deep facial cleanser to becoming an important part of your weight loss program, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) promises a lot. This natural product and everyone's new best friend has yet another surprise package up its sleeves. It aids in dissolving keloids. Ooh! Your doctor didn’t say?! What…

From conditioning your hair and acting as a deep facial cleanser to becoming an important part of your weight loss program, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) promises a lot. This natural product and everyone’s new best friend has yet another surprise package up its sleeves. It aids in dissolving keloids. Ooh! Your doctor didn’t say?!

What are Keloids?

Keloids are outgrowths that form on top of an original injury. Rather than go through the normal process of healing, the body cells produce extreme quantities of collagen I and III. They are usually shiny and tough. They can form on any injury but are more common on the chest, ear, back and shoulders. A little skin inflammation such as a pimple can trigger keloids. It can cause uneasiness and severe itching especially when exposed to heat. While some are hereditary, others are often linked to iodine deficiency or skin trauma. Those suffering from keloids are often advised to stay away from sugary foods.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

You know what they say about taking an apple a day? Now imagine what the organic raw apple cider vinegar can do. ACV has been used since the time of Hippocrates and the ancient Babylonians to cure certain sicknesses including candida, heartburn, arthritis, sunburn, lower blood pressure and to promote insulin sensitivity. This vinegar goodness contains acetic acid which kills bad bacteria, polyphenols which can prevent cancer and probiotics. Although there are different natural ways and surgical operation methods to reduce keloids, one does not need a magician to see why ACV is the favourite of many. Unlike surgical operations which do not guarantee a permanent cure, you can bid goodbye to this thorn in the flesh with ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Consistent use of ACV has proven to prevent keloids from swelling and reduce itching. Its mild stingy feeling (something you can handle) means it is actively working on it. After a few days or weeks, it is not difficult to see how it visibly divides the keloids and flattens it. While it would generally become noticeably soft and red, scabs may appear for some. Do not be tempted to peel it off as it can get irritated and inflamed.

APPLICATION

While some undertake a simple procedure of rubbing an ACV-drenched cotton wool directly on the keloid for 10-30 minutes in order to stimulate the healing process before leaving it to air-dry, some prefer leaving the cotton wool on and using a Band-Aid overnight. You skipped a day’s application? Not to worry. See it as allowing the keloid heal on its own.

DISCOLOURATION

If you are scared of discolouration or scars on the spot where the keloid once appeared (which might occur depending on the skin type), keep your aloe vera cream, lemon or honey by your side after application. These antioxidants can also serve as a moisturiser and are known to aid in the reduction of keloids so it’s a win-win situation. Remember to wash off the honey, lemon or aloe cream after about five minutes.

Like other natural procedures, patience is needed as it can take up to three weeks to see huge signs of improvement. Don’t forget to add lots of vegetables to your diet.

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