How to Treat Itchy Skin With Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal, which is ordinary rolled oats that have been ground into a fine powder, can be used to treat itchy skin. From insect bites and poison ivy, to eczema and psoriasis, adding a little oatmeal into your daily bath can bring quick relief to your irritated skin.

Things You'll Need

• Colloidal oatmeal
• Rolled oats
• Coffee grinder or mill

Instructions

1. Find the right type of colloidal oatmeal product to treat your itchy skin. Some colloidal oatmeal formulas have added ingredients, such as baking soda or Epsom salts, for added effectiveness. Others may include medications that have been specifically formulated to treat specific skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis or food allergies.

2. Make your own colloidal oatmeal to treat itchy skin by purchasing rolled oats in bulk, and grinding them into powder. You can use a coffee grinder or mill to pulverize the rolled oats into a fine powder that will easily dissolve when added to water.

3. Draw a lukewarm bath for yourself to treat your itchy skin with oatmeal. Avoid using hot water, which can open your skin pores and irritate your skin further. Hot water can also remove most of the natural oils that reside in your skin, drying it out even further.

4. Add the colloidal oatmeal into the bath water until it dissolves, using anywhere from a cup or two or even more, depending upon the severity of your itchy skin. You may find that some of the oatmeal does not dissolve completely, possibly because it has not been ground thoroughly enough. However, the warm water will still extract the active ingredients in the oatmeal.

5. Soak in the bathtub for at least 10 minutes for best results. Keep as much of your body submerged underwater as possible during the bath. Remember to use caution when getting in and out of the bathtub, since oatmeal can make the surfaces of the tub slippery.

6. Rinse your body with cool water after you get out of the bath to remove the slippery residue left by the oatmeal.

7. Use a soft, absorbent towel to gently pat yourself dry after you get out of the oatmeal bath. Do not rub your skin vigorously as you dry, as it may cause further skin irritation.

8. Repeat the bath with oatmeal up to three times per day as needed until you experience relief from itchy skin.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid getting colloidal oatmeal into your eyes while you are bathing. Oatmeal can easily irritate your eyes.