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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 howev