A 47-year-old member asked:
Does vinegar help with cleaning wounds?
3 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Johnnie Alstonanswered
Podiatry 17 years experience
Yes: Many people will clean their wounds with a diluted mixture of white vinegar and water. The vinegar will change the ph of the wound which makes it antibacterial to some degree. Antibacterial soap(like dial) works just as well.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. Scott Bolhackanswered
Wound care 37 years experience
Vinegar: Vinegar or Acetic Acid can be used on wounds when it is clinically warranted. Using vinegar to just clean wounds all of the time is not appropriate.
The two main uses of vinegar are: when we suspect a pseudomonas infection (a particular type of bacteria that causes a 'neon' greenish-blue drainage on wounds; and for jellyfish stings, as the Acetic Acid works on the stinging cells of the jellyfish.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Michael Milleranswered
Wound care 38 years experience
Bad Idea: The real question is what not to do that slows healing. Avoid using alcohol, peroxide, hibiclens, betadine, vinegar, bleach solutions. Inflammation ( red, hot, swollen, tender) is important to healing so anti-inflammatories (motrin, advil) are bad. Cover the area with a clean dressing changed every other day and protected from trauma. Antibiotics do not help healing unless it is truly infected.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 7, 2019
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