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File this one under: your mother was right. Oatmeal is not only great for breakfast, especially if you want to control your cholesterol levels. But if you have a troublesome case of eczema or other skin rash, soaking in an oatmeal bath can help. This has been a home remedy that’s been around for ages, and it still holds true.
Doctors quoted for a Women’s Day online article recommend either applying colloidal (finely ground) oatmeal as a paste or adding it to bath water and soaking in it for 15 minutes.
So how does it work? Oatmeal apparently has antihistamine properties that work by lowering the body’s irritation and inflammation levels that occur as part of a natural immune system response.
Other helpful uses for oatmeal include using it in an ashtray to neutralize cigarette ash and smoke, or it can be used as a beauty aid, or to bind meat for meatloaf or meatballs.
Do you have a question about skin conditions, or home remedies? Check out EmpowHER’s pages. Sign-up, post a question, share your story, connect with other women in our groups and community, and feel EmpowHERed!
Resource:
Woman’s Day: 7 Home Remedies that Actually Work
Associated Content: Handy Uses for Oatmeal
Christine Jeffries is a writer/editor for work and at heart, and lives in a home of testosterone with her husband and two sons. Christine is interested in women’s health and promoting strong women.
Add a Comment4 Comments
Has anyone tried seaweed in their bath tub? I have heard amazing things about The Seaweed Bath Co. line. Seaweed sounds a little out there, but if it really makes a difference, then I'm all for it!
March 25, 2011 - 1:00pmThis Comment
That's great. Its always better to find remedies at your home to cure eczema. Having said that, if you need to consult a doctor, you should do it without any hesitation.
March 11, 2011 - 2:14am[website link removed by Moderator]
This Comment
Cool! Glad it was helpful. Hope it works to soothe his skin. Has he been to a derm. for his skin condition? My husband used to work for Galderma, and he "sold" Cetaphil. It is good, non-irritating soaps and lotions for using on sensitive and irritated skin. I even still use it since I have a tendency to have sensitive skin, and I use the lotion on our boys. Another good one is Cera Ve (sp?). Good luck!
March 10, 2011 - 9:57amThis Comment
Thank you for this article! I have always wondered exactly how to use oatmeal, and I will try the colloidal-form of oatmeal on my son before his bath. His eczema is becoming worse (he is 4 years old), and this article is timely for us---I've been searching for remedies.
March 10, 2011 - 9:12amThis Comment