Why is colloidal oatmeal good for skin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC also suggest that colloidal oatmeal baths could help relieve itching in cases of shingles. Learn more about home remedies for dry skin here. Eczema causes itchy, scaly, or patchy skin. A double-blind study examined the effects of colloidal oatmeal on chronic hand eczema among patients at a dermatology clinic in Iran.

Another study examined the effects of a colloidal oatmeal cream on the skin of people with mild to moderate eczema compared with a standard moisturizer. Among the 30 people who received the colloidal oatmeal cream, the researchers observed fewer harmful bacteria at areas of damaged skin compared with the 31 participants who received the standard moisturizer. The researchers also noted that damaged areas of skin healed better with the colloidal oatmeal cream than with the standard moisturizer.

Learn more about natural remedies for eczema here. Psoriasis is a skin condition where the immune system triggers the overproduction of skin cells. It can lead to the development of scaly patches of skin, dryness, and itching. After 4 weeks of applying the lotion, the participants reported they had seen significant improvements in their symptoms. The symptoms that improved the most were itchiness and peeling. Oatmeal baths could also help relieve itching and irritation that occurs due to psoriasis.

Learn more about home remedies for psoriasis here. Some online sources claim that food products, such as oatmeal, turmeric, or lemon, can whiten the skin. However, most of these claims are not based on science. Colloidal oatmeal is made from ground oats, Evan Rieder, M. When the ground oats are combined with water or other liquids, the mixture creates a protective film on the surface of the skin, he explains.

It keeps potential pathogens and irritants out and seals water in. In fact, colloidal oatmeal is such an effective skin protectant that the FDA regulates it as an active ingredient , meaning that colloidal oatmeal products must contain a specific amount of the ingredient and it needs to be formulated in a certain way. However, note that not all products containing colloidal oatmeal are regulated in this way; only those with colloidal oatmeal broken out in a drug facts box are regulated like a drug.

That protective barrier also helps prevent water loss. By replacing the barrier with a product containing colloidal oatmeal, you can help prevent some of that TEWL, which helps keep the skin hydrated and calm, Dr. If you are allergic to gluten, you should be careful when you use oatmeal in your bath.

This is because products containing oatmeal may also develop traces of gluten. This may also happen when it is being processed. Before you use any product containing colloidal oatmeal, check the ingredients. If the product contains other ingredients that you are allergic to, refrain from using it. If your skin is acne-prone, look for a non-comedogenic product containing colloidal oatmeal.

Adding a few cups of colloidal oatmeal to your bathtub can soothe irritation. Soak yourself in the tub for about minutes. You can use moisturizers that contain colloidal oatmeal two times a day.

Some doctors recommend that you use it as often as you like. However, using it twice should be ideal if you have dry skin. The grainy texture of colloidal oatmeal makes it an excellent scrub to remove dead skin cells.

It is also a gentle way of exfoliating your skin, along with adding a good amount of moisture to it. You should not make too much paste at once. Oatmeal ferments and you may expose it to bacteria if you leave it unused. Make your paste based on how much is required for you that day.

Colloidal oatmeal is safe for everyone, especially those with dry skin. It is considered to be one of the safest emollients in skin care. However, if you are specifically allergic to oats, using colloidal oatmeal-based products can result in side-effects like redness. It can also result from an underlying disease or be a side effect of certain medications 7 , 11 , Further, it may help alleviate itching chickenpox- or burn-related itching.

Note that serious burns require prompt medical care to avoid infections, complications, and even death. Colloidal oatmeal is used to alleviate symptoms of a broad range of skin conditions, including eczema, severe dry skin, mild burns, and chickenpox. Allergic reactions are rare. In fact, zero allergic reactions were reported by , consumers of colloidal-oatmeal-containing personal care products within a 3-year period 2.

Plus, most people experienced sustained moisture for an impressive 2 weeks after wearing the patch 2. That said, those with a known oat allergy should not use colloidal oatmeal. If you experience unwanted symptoms after using colloidal oatmeal, such as burning, a rash, or stinging, discontinue its use and speak to your healthcare provider.

While colloidal oatmeal is safe for most people, discontinue using it if you develop symptoms like a rash. To make a bath, sprinkle about 1 cup grams of the powder into lukewarm water and soak in it for 10—15 minutes. After bathing, pat or air dry if possible, then apply a fragrance-free moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin. To do so, simply place a bit of the colloidal-oatmeal-water mixture on a small patch of skin, such as a forearm or back of a hand, then rinse after 15 minutes, watching for signs of allergic reaction like redness.

Oatmeal can make your bathtub slippery, so take extra caution when you or your child step out of the tub. Making colloidal oatmeal is easy and quick — simply blend raw oatmeal into a fine powder.