How to Draw an Oatmeal Bath for Rash
With Special Instructions for Bathing Infants
Medically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MDMedically reviewed by Brendan Camp, MD
Taking an oatmeal bath for a rash can help soothe and moisturize your skin. Oatmeal has proven anti-inflammatory and moisturizing qualities that can help relieve various skin problems, including rashes. However, there are certain instances in which you should avoid an oatmeal bath for a rash.
This article will explore how oatmeal helps your skin, how to prepare an oatmeal bath, and other things you should know before soaking in an oatmeal bath.
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How an Oatmeal Bath Soothes Rashes
Oatmeal has been used in skin care regimens for thousands of years. Treatments with this grain have been documented as far back as 2000 B.C. as a way to soothe and restore irritated skin.
Oatmeal can hydrate and moisturize skin and has the following properties:
Anti-inflammatory
Antifungal
Antioxidant
Anti-itch
Prebiotic
Barrier repair
pH balancing
Rash Types That May Benefit
"Rash" is a general term for reddened or otherwise discolored, itchy, or raised areas of the skin. It can have various triggers and symptoms, including itching, pain, or stinging.
The most common types of rashes are:
Eczema: A dry rash that can cause skin cracking and itching. Depending on your natural skin tone, they may appear red, purple, or dark brown and occur exposure to an irritant or allergen. Sometimes, they are a sign of internal or autoimmune conditions.
Contact dermatitis: These rashes can appear as pink, red, purple, or dark brown raised blisters or bumps. They usually occur after exposure to an irritant or as an allergic reaction.
Hives: These inflamed, raised bumps can appear swollen and large in some cases, along with itching and other symptoms. Hives are often a sign of an allergic reaction, but viral infections can also cause them.
Causes of Rashes
There are many triggers for rashes, but allergens and irritants are among the most common. Rash triggers include things like:
Antibiotics and certain other medications
Certain foods like peanuts or shellfish
Chemicals
Cold weather
Fragrances
Household cleaners
Insect bites or stings
Laundry detergents
Sun exposure, heat, or sweat
Vibrations
Reasons to Skip an Oatmeal Bath
An oatmeal bath can worsen symptoms in people with certain skin conditions.
One condition for which you should avoid an oatmeal bath is heat rash. Heat, sweat, and other extreme temperatures often trigger these rashes. A warm bath—whether it contains oatmeal or not—could worsen your symptoms.
Medications like steroids and holistic treatments like cold compresses or a cool bath are better options for treating rashes triggered by heat.
How to Bathe Babies and Children in Oatmeal
Oats come in many forms, and you can get all the benefits of an oatmeal bath in different ways.
To minimize the mess when offering an oatmeal bath for babies and children, make a satchel for your oats. Fill a sock with standard rolled oats and place it in the water as the tub fills. Your bath water will turn a milky-white color as the oats' benefits are released into the water.
Letting your child play with the oat-filled sock only helps more, especially when applied directly to the skin as a compress. When the bath is done, you can hang the sock to dry—with or without the oats. You may get more than one use from a single oat-filled sock.
Homemade Oatmeal Bath
Oats come in various options, including rolled oats, instant oats, colloidal oatmeal, oat flour, and oat milk. These forms are processed differently but offer similar benefits. You can use whole oats that you may have in your pantry, though many people opt for colloidal oatmeal because it's ground into a fine powder that can make bathing less messy.
To make your own oatmeal bath, you only need oats and water. A food processor can help grind the oats into a fine powder, which may make cleanup easier. Below is a checklist for preparing and enjoying your oatmeal bath.
Use whole, uncooked oats (not precooked or instant oats).
Grind the oats in a food processor or coffee grinder (optional).
Sprinkle 1 cup of ground oats into your bathwater.
Does the Type of Oats Matter?
Other than avoiding precooked or instant oats, there aren't many restrictions on oatmeal bath ingredients. Rolled oats are easily accessible and cost-effective, but colloidal oatmeal and oat flours are already ground and prepared in a way that can maximize the healing power of the oats.
Ready-to-use colloidal oats were introduced in the 1940s. In the 1980s and early 2000s, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved them for skin use because of their benefits in soothing skin and protecting it.
How Long to Soak
It doesn't take long for an oatmeal bath to offer relief. A five- to 15-minute soak once (or more) daily can help.
The key to getting the most out of your oatmeal bath is:
Use warm, not hot, water.
Avoid using harsh soaps alongside the oatmeal.
Don't scrub your skin.
Store-Bought Oatmeal Bath
If you don't like do-it-yourself projects, there are plenty of options for oatmeal-based bath soaks and skin care products. The section below covers some dos and don'ts when selecting commercial oat-based skin products.
Ingredients to Look For
Colloidal oats are a popular choice in skin care because of how they are processed. The fine powder can be made into soaks, lotions, and other topical treatments easily absorbed into the skin.
The amount and type of oatmeal can vary between brands and products. There isn't much data to support specific concentrations of oats over others. Still, some studies have demonstrated a significant improvement in skin conditions like rashes after applying 1% colloidal oat creams.
Ingredients to Avoid
Skin care products—even those containing oatmeal—can also contain irritants or allergens. If you have a rash or sensitive skin, it's important to read the labels of the products you buy carefully.
Ingredients commonly found in skin care products that are likely to irritate the skin include:
Natural rubbers
Fragrances
Dyes or coloring
Preservatives
Metals
You may also want to avoid products containing harsh abrasives, alcohol, and other potentially irritating or drying substances.
After an Oatmeal Bath for Rash
When you get out of an oatmeal bath, gently dab your skin dry rather than vigorously rubbing it. It can also help to apply prescription or over-the-counter creams, ointments, or lotions when you get out of the bath. This "soak and seal" strategy helps to seal the soothing and moisturizing properties of the oatmeal.
Summary
Oatmeal baths are an effective and accessible treatment for rashes. Adding plain oats to bath water is the simplest option, but ground oats, colloidal oats, and other commercial preparations using oats can offer you the same benefits with more convenience.
If your rash doesn't improve after bathing and other home treatments, make an appointment to see a healthcare provider to rule out problems that may require additional treatment.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
