Contemporary pursuits of vinegar from scullery to dermatology

Abstract

Vinegar is widely available as a food ingredient for flavouring and as a preservative. It is one of the oldest skin remedy known to mankind. However, its status in treatment regimens has declined over the decades. This article is an attempt to highlight its therapeutic armamentarium in dermatology, venereology and leprosy. Acetic acid in vinegar has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. This review talks about various studies of acetic acid for various indications, such as screening for cervical cancer, healing of chronic wounds, atopic dermatitis, onychomycosis, marine dermatoses, acne vulgaris, warts, in sclerotherapy and many others dermatoses.  Combination therapies and newer indications are also described in this article. Recently, its antiviral action in vitro has been demonstrated against the ongoing coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.