Oatmeal Bath for Urticaria

• Oatmeal baths. There are commercial oatmeal bath additions available, but you can save money by trying one of these preparations. Wrap 2 cups of oatmeal in cheesecloth or nylon stocking and suspend under the bath tap, allowing the water to extract the active elements and sparing you from bathing amidst floating oatmeal flakes. You can also whirl oatmeal in a blender or food processor until it's a fine powder. Just dissolve the oatmeal dust in bathwater.
• Colloidal oatmeal won't sink to the bottom of the tub -- it remains suspended in your bathwater, which maximizes exposure to your skin.

  When preparing an oatmeal bath, use tepid water -- particularly if you're taking an oatmeal bath as a treatment for poison ivy, allergic reactions, dry skin or chickenpox. Water that's too hot can draw moisture from your skin or aggravate already inflamed skin. Add the colloidal oatmeal as water flows from the faucet to ensure it mixes completely. Soak for 10 minutes or however long the package or your doctor recommends. If you feel sticky after your oatmeal bath, rinse with tepid water. Afterward, pat or blot yourself dry with a towel -- don't rub your skin because this can cause irritation. You can take an oatmeal bath up to three times a day to treat dry, itchy or irritated skin [source: Whole Health MD].

  Whether you bathe in it, scrub with it or eat it, there are a lot of reasons to love oatmeal.
• Oatmeal baths aren't used only for relief from poison ivy -- you can soak in this home remedy for a variety of other mild skin irritations.
  If you have chickenpox, insect bites or a rash caused by an allergic reaction, oatmeal baths can provide temporary relief just like they do for poison ivy. Because oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, it can soothe the inflammation that results from your body's reaction to allergens [source: Sur]. Oatmeal baths are also a popular remedy for sunburns, dry skin and conditions such as psoriasis and ecz
  The advantages of oatmeal don't stop there. Saponins, chemical components found in oatmeal, allow oatmeal to function as an effective natural cleanser -- they absorb dirt, oil and odor. Oatmeal also contains phenols and flavonoids that provide protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays and act as antioxidants to fight free radicals. Plus, the presence of avenacins in oatmeal suggests that it may also have some antifungal properties [source: Rosacea Support Group].ema. Itchy, dry skin often has a high pH level, but oatmeal can help normalize your skin's pH, which can relieve itchy, uncomfortable skin [source: CTV]. Oatmeal baths also soften and moisturize your skin, which helps lock in moisture and protect skin from exterior irritants [source: American Academy of Dermatology].
• You can add 4 cups of milk to the bath for extra soothing effect.
• Alternatively, 2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar can be added to the bath.
• You can apply extra virgin coconut oil after the bath for more moisturizing and soothing effect.