Skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis after apple cider vinegar soaks

Atopic dermatitis is an extremely common allergic skin disease, characterized by altered cutaneous immunity and skin barrier defects that increase susceptibility to recurrent bacterial skin infections. Treatments for atopic dermatitis are not curative, and bath additives commonly used to improve the atopic dermatitis skin barrier are controversial. Apple cider vinegar baths have recently been recommended by some dermatologists, although scant data exists to support the beneficial claims of topical acetic acid for atopic dermatitis. This study investigates the effects of topical dilute apple cider vinegar soaks on the skin microbiome and Staphylococcus aureus colonization in atopic dermatitis participants and on healthy skin.