Oatmeal bath has been in existence for years and is a traditional home remedy commonly used for varieties of skin conditions. But do you know you can easily make your own oatmeal bath at home instead of buying a commercial product in the market?
The process is easy and takes a couple of minutes using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. In this post, we’ll show you how to make your own oatmeal bath to treat so many skin issues. If you’re willing to know more about the process, then scroll down.
Oatmeal is an ancient home remedy for itchy, dry, or inflamed skin. It’s rich in magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. The phenols found and avenanthramides in this food have moisture-retaining and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat extreme skin conditions.
So, soaking your baby in oatmeal is a great way to calm their nerves and soothe irritated skin. When your pediatrician recommends an oatmeal bath for your baby skin condition, you can purchase commercially made oatmeal baths in the market or continue reading this post to learn how to make your own oatmeal baths.
It’s simple to make your own oatmeal bath at home. Below are easy steps to follow.
The first thing to do is get some old-fashioned oats flake that is 100% naturally unflavored. You can get these oats at most health food markets or grocery stores.
Grind the oats in a blender. You can add bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) and a little lavender essential oil to enhance the effectiveness of the powdered oats. All these ingredients are placed in a blender and grind until all the oat flakes are down to a fine powder.
If your food processor or blender isn’t crushing the oats finely enough that it will be powdered, another method is put oats into a small mesh bag or ties it in cheesecloth. You can also use pantyhose.
Take a tablespoon of ground oats and stir it in a glass of lukewarm water to test if the oatmeal is finely enough to absorb water. You’ve ground enough if the oats readily absorb into the warm water, turning the liquid into a milky-looking substance with a silky feel.
However, if the liquid doesn’t turn milky, keep grinding the oats. Repeat the process and test again until you get a milky solution with a silky feel. After the oats are finely ground, it’s time to store in an airtight container for use.
Start running a tub of warm water, not hot water, and add the finely ground oats. Let it steep for a moment before you start using. Now your oatmeal bath is ready.
Pour your homemade oatmeal into a tub bath of running warm water and use your hand to stir the water several times to ensure even distribution. To get the most benefit from your oatmeal bath recipe, soak your baby in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes. You can also gently rub some of the oatmeal directly on the affected skin area.
Alternatively, if you’ve used a mesh bag to contain the oatmeal, run a hot bath and place the bag in it. And then allow the water to cool down to an appropriate temperature for your child. Make sure that the water temperature isn’t too high, and then soak your child for 15-20 minutes as above.
Keep in mind that ground oatmeal can make your tub bath slippery, so be careful when getting your little one in and out of the tub.
Oatmeals are not just great for breakfast in the morning; they are also a go-to home remedy for all kind of skin issues, from dry skin to major outbreaks. Below are some of the benefits of oatmeal.
Oatmeal bath is just the thing you need if you are looking for natural remedies to relieve itching from hives. Soaking your baby in an oatmeal bath can alleviate the affected area. Combining the oats with other soothing ingredients such as lavender oil is also helpful.
An oatmeal bath can relieve the soreness and redness on your baby as well as coats the skin surface with hydrating lipids. It’s also a popular remedy for diaper rash as they are safe and gentle for the delicate skin of babies.
Oatmeal is among the simplest of eczema treatments that often provide significant relief if your baby is suffering from eczema symptoms. Dissolving finely ground oats into the bathwater along with a few supporting ingredients like Epsom salts or baking soda can help soothe and heal the inflammation of eczema.
Oatmeal is a natural way of locking in the body’s moisture and protect the skin. Oatmeal baths help form a protective barrier that can hold moisture all over your baby skin. Remember not to keep your baby soak in an oatmeal bath for long (like more than 15 to 20 minutes)—because doing so can strip the baby skin of moisture.
Dermatologists recommend using oatmeal bath daily if your baby has susceptible skin. Using oatmeal baths can do wonders for your baby skin since store-bought body washes contain harsh chemicals.
Bug bites can be quite irritating and itchy for your baby. Oatmeal baths are a great way to achieve relief from bug bites The anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties found in oatmeal make it a great combatant for mosquito bites, pesky bug bites, ant, bees to name a few.
There is no need to buy expensive bath products, lotions, or creams to soothe your baby skin. Oatmeal contains avenanthramides, which are polyphenols that can help soothe itchy and irritated skin. According to one study conducted by a research institute at Tufts University, avenanthramides in oats exhibit antiproliferative, anti-itching, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Apart from the above, there are some other skin problems that oatmeal bath can deal with. They include:
Oatmeal baths are safe and effective treatments for any baby skin condition. However, it’s still possible that some baby could experience an allergic reaction to oatmeal, but it’s not common. An allergic effect of oatmeal bath would cause symptoms like swelling, itching, and redness. If this happens, wash your baby skin with soap and water and discontinue the use of oatmeal.
Overall, bathing your baby with oatmeal is usually safe provided; there are no signs your baby is allergic to it. You could try a “patch test” before bathing your baby in an oatmeal bath. You can also talk to your pediatrician if you are unsure whether oatmeal baths will be good for your little one.
It’s recommended to soak your baby in an oatmeal bath for no more than 15-20 minutes or until the water gets cold.
Yes, you need to rinse your baby with clean water and gently pat the skin dry with a towel. An oatmeal bath leaves behind some particles almost invisible white film that can also benefit the skin.
An oatmeal bath cannot stop itching caused by an internal skin condition. It can temporarily lessen the itching sensation, soothe your baby skin, and remove the flaky patches that are causing discomfort.
Oatmeal bath is an excellent way to treat your baby skin conditions. This bath helps to soothe itchy and irritated skin, and it leaves the skin so soft afterward. It’s a much cheaper alternative to many commonly used beauty and bath products, not to mention that commercially made products that contain chemicals and other potentially harmful ingredients.
Considering how easy it is to make your own oatmeal bath, you’ll be wondering why you waited so long to start the practice. So, what are you waiting for? Head to the nearest grocery store or take a cup of oatmeal you already have in your kitchen and prepare a healing oatmeal bath for your baby.
About the Author
Barbara is a full-time mom of 3 children and a part-time blogger since 2018. She likes to write on various topics about motherhood. She drinks a lot of coffee, loves French pastries, reads a lot, also enjoys crafts and Montessori activities.Related Reading
