Aloe vera plants are widely available for purchase, and the gel is in both cosmetic and medicinal products. Pregnant women should be wary of ingesting aloe because of the risk of uterine contractions, according to the National Institutes of Health. Parents should also consult a pediatrician before giving it to children, according to the NIH.
Burns
Aloe vera gel can be used to treat sunburn and first-degree burns, notes American Chronicle magazine. Spread a thin layer on the skin. Repeat up to three times daily to reduce swelling and discomfort.
Psoriasis and Dermatitis
Topical application of creams containing aloe vera are believed to relieve the itching and scaling of psoriasis and dermatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Its use for these conditions, however, needs more research, the clinic says. Those who use aloe vera products for a long time may develop an allergic reaction, such as eczema or hives.
Dry Skin
Aloe vera gel has the ability to improve dry skin caused by some forms of occupational exposure, according to the American Journal of Infection Control. Researchers studied 30 assembly-line workers who wore gloves filled with aloe vera for about three months. The researchers found that the condition of the skin on the workers' hands improved.
Genital Herpes
Creams containing aloe vera extract can facilitate the healing of genital herpes outbreaks in men, according to the Journal of Dermatological Treatment. Researchers observed the effects of a cream containing .5 percent aloe vera on 60 male patients ages 18 to 40, over a two-year period. Patients entered the study within seven days of their herpes outbreak. Researchers found that aloe vera was a reliable and effective treatment for the first episode of male genital herpes.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Aloe
- AmericanChronicle.com: Aloe Vera: Healing Burns and Infections
- MayoClinic.com: Aloe Vera
- Journal of Infection Control: Evaluation of Aloe Vera Gel Gloves in the Treatment of Dry Skin Associated with Occupational Exposure
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment: Management of Genital Herpes in Men with 0.5% Aloe Vera Extract in a Hydrophilic Cream
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