This property makes onion extract popular in topical preparations used to treat scars. A study in mice supported the theory that quercetin may help your body break create healthy skin as it heals from an injury as opposed to a keloid scar. However, more research needs to be done in humans to confirm this effect.

A different study from compared the topical application of onion extract gel to silicone gel, another popular scar treatment. After applying each gel for 12 weeks, the researchers found both were equally effective in treating postsurgical scars.

Onion extracts have been shown to inactivate most forms of bacteria, according to a research review. In addition to the properties mentioned above, onions also contain a naturally occurring sulfuric acid.

Diluted sulfur can be used to treat some types of acne. No specific studies explore whether the acid from onions can be used to treat an active breakout. However, enough people swear by it that certain companies use onion juice in some over-the-counter acne products. Onion also contains vitamin C.

Vitamin C is known to increase the speed of your cell turnover, which can help decrease breakouts, lessen redness, and brighten up your skin. Once again, though, no current studies evaluate how the vitamin C in onions may specifically contribute to fighting acne.

If you think you have one of these infections, you should seek treatment advice from a doctor. When it comes to using onions on your skin, red, yellow, and white varieties seem to be effective in treating skin care concerns. Some people swear by onions to treat blemishes from acne and acne scars.

You can DIY an at-home spot treatment for acne quickly and easily to see if it works for you. You might also want to try onion extract to treat scarring. Combining onion extract with aloe vera gel could boost your results, since aloe vera has a proven track record for treating skin injuries and scars.

The inflammation-fighters in onions may help moisturize your skin. The following are some over-the-counter OTC products you can purchase that add onion to their formulas:.

The Environmental Working Group reports no evidence of allergies or immunotoxicity from using onion bulb extracts. Because onion extract is rarely the only ingredient in a skin care product, it might be a good idea to find out if onion extract irritates your skin before you use it.

You can do a patch test by applying a small amount of onion to the inside of your wrist and waiting up to 24 hours to see if any redness or irritation appears.

There are plenty of reasons to believe that onions could provide some skin care benefits. But current research about using onions on your skin is lacking. That said, trying onion on your skin is low risk for most people. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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Skin Care. How Onions Can Benefit Your Skin. Medically reviewed by Reema Patel, MPA, PA-C — By Kathryn Watson on March 1, Beneficial properties May reduce inflammation and scarring May kill bacteria May help with acne How to use OTC onion products Potential side effects Takeaway Onions are full of antioxidants, phytochemicals, and antibacterials.

Onion properties Claims for your skin antioxidants can reduce surgical scars and soften skin phytochemicals can soften and brighten skin antibacterial can fight off bacteria that cause inflammation antiseptic helps fight off viruses and fungi.

Onions may reduce inflammation and scarring. Onions may help you treat acne. They are a low-calorie, high-fiber, high-nutrient food and contain vitamin C. Eating onions may:. Those considering using the onion in sock home remedy to cure a cold or flu may find one of the following home remedies to be more beneficial:.

The onion in sock home remedy has origins in western folklore and is hundreds of years old. It also has links to the Chinese practice of reflexology. Many people claim that the onion in sock remedy is an effective treatment for a cold or the flu.

Despite these claims, there is no scientific evidence to support this. There are no proven health benefits to this remedy, but it is not known to be harmful. If a person is looking for ways to treat their cold or flu at home, there are a variety of remedies that do have proven benefits.

It is a good idea to try treatments that are known to be effective before trying home remedies that are less evidence-based. When considering new treatments for cold and flu, it is always a good idea to speak to a doctor first. Hot toddies are a popular remedy for colds and flu.

This article looks at the research into their effectiveness, recipes, and some alternatives. There is no cure for colds, but a person can take steps to look after themselves if they feel a cold coming on. Here are nine tips.

A viral infection is responsible for the common cold. While the effects can be unpleasant, people tend to recover within around 1 week.

Medicines such…. The photic sneeze reflex causes a person to sneeze in response to sudden exposure to bright light. Genetics underlie this syndrome.

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Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. Does an onion in the sock work for a cold? Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What are the origins of the remedy? What science says Health benefits of onions Treating cold and flu Takeaway Putting a raw onion inside a sock and sleeping with it overnight is a remedy that some people believe can treat a cold or the flu.

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim. Was this helpful? Share on Pinterest The belief that raw onion can treat flu is believed to date from the s. What the science says. Share on Pinterest Although onions do have some health benefits when eaten, there have not been any scientific studies to back the onion in sock remedy.

Health benefits of onions. Treating cold and flu. Share on Pinterest Including honey and lemon or fresh ginger in drinks may ease cold and flu symptoms. How we reviewed this article: Sources.