Babies may be known for having perfectly smooth skin, but even little ones can experience acne, eczema, and rashes. When skin irritation strikes, think twice before rushing out to buy an arsenal of expensive creams and potions. A homemade oatmeal bath could be all you need to get your baby's skin back in baby-soft shape.
There's a good reason this healing remedy has been used for millennia: Oatmeal baths have been proven to soothe the skin of all ages while moisturizing, treating everything from hives and sunburn to psoriasis and poison ivy. And it's not just an old wives' tale, either. Studies have shown that oatmeal has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. It also helps repair the skin barrier, which keeps moisture in.
Here's everything you need to know to give your baby a soothing oatmeal bath at home.
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Ingredients for an Oatmeal Bath
Making an oatmeal bath is easy, but you do need to make sure you have the right type of oatmeal. "You should not just throw your breakfast oatmeal into your baby's bath!" warns Stephanie Kronberg, a nurse practitioner in the dermatology department at Children's Mercy Kansas City. Instead, look for colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground into a soft powder that's designed to dissolve in fluids.
When preparing to make your oatmeal bath at home, you can select quick-cooking, slow-cooking, or instant oats, as they all work equally well. However, be sure that whatever oats you choose are unflavored (i.e. no maple brown sugar baths).
Here's the ingredients you need for a DIY oatmeal bath:
Blender, food processor, or coffee grinderWarm water1 cup of oatmeal (for a full-size bath; 1/3 cup for an infant tub)Muslin bag or cheesecloth as a container for the oatmeal in the bath (optional)
Instructions for Making Your DIY Oatmeal Bath
Use a food processor or grinder to grind the oatmeal into a powdery consistency. Test to make sure the oatmeal will dissolve by dropping a small amount in a glass of warm water. If it disappears, you're ready to go. If not, grind some more.
Below are some step-by-step instructions for your DIY oatmeal bath:
Blend or process the oats on the highest setting in your food processor, blender, or coffee grinder until you have a very fine, consistent powder.To test the ground oats to see if they are fine enough, stir one tablespoon of the ground oats into a glass of warm water.If the oats readily absorb into the water, turning the liquid into a milky-looking substance with a silky feel, you've blended long enough.If the liquid doesn't turn milky, keep processing the oats to grind them even finer. Test again. Repeat until you get a milky solution with a silky feel.Fill the tub with warm water. Ensure it's not too hot, as that can dry your baby's skin.Gradually sprinkle the oatmeal into the tub as it fills with water (or use the muslin bag). The oatmeal should dissolve and the water should turn a milky color. You'll need about a cup for a full bathtub or a third of a cup for a baby bathtub. Place your baby into the bath and gently splash them with the water, allowing them to soak for 10 to 15 minutes if possible.After the bath, pat your baby dry with a towel (don't rub) and apply a gentle moisturizer before dressing them. Be careful at this step, as your baby can become slippery from both the oatmeal and the moisturizer.As an alternative to a bath, you can always create a paste with oatmeal and water and apply directly to the skin on areas of irritation.
Benefits of Oatmeal Baths
DIY oatmeal baths can be beneficial for anyone—not just babies. But they're a simple, inexpensive way to help treat and prevent skin problems that are common to babies and young children in particular.
Tanya Altmann, MD, founder and pediatrician at Calabasas Pediatrics in California, recommends oatmeal baths for babies. “When parents call me and say their baby has a bad rash and they scream and don't want to take a bath, I will have them give an oatmeal bath,” Dr. Altmann says. “It's soothing so the warm water doesn't bother the baby, and they can clean the area before putting on the needed medicated creams to treat the condition.”
Researchers have found that people with eczema who apply a topical cream with 1% colloidal oatmeal saw a reduction in flare-ups by as much as 54% after 14 days of use. Oatmeal can also make a huge impact on those with psoriasis or sensitive skin by preventing and treating outbreaks and irritation.
Here are the top skin conditions an oatmeal bath for babies can help relieve:
Allergic reactionsChickenpoxCradle capDandruffDiaper rashDry, itchy skinEczemaHeat rash
Keep in mind that oatmeal baths, though effective, aren't a magic elixir for curing all skin woes. Kronberg says it's still important to diagnose the cause of the irritation and treat it appropriately. "It's important that [oatmeal baths] be combined with other traditional management, such as moisturizers, fragrance-free products, and sometimes topical medications," Kronberg says.
Things to Consider When Giving Your Child an Oatmeal Bath
While rare, some babies and children may have an adverse reaction to oatmeal baths. Kronberg recommends speaking with your child's doctor before giving an oatmeal bath if you're unsure.
"If your baby has healthy skin, there is probably not much risk to giving an oatmeal bath if you do it correctly," she says. "However, if your baby has a skin condition, I recommend speaking to their medical provider first. Some babies may develop an allergy to the oatmeal in the bath, and this could cause itching and skin redness."
According to the New York Allergy & Sinus Centers, many people are becoming more aware of oat allergies as gluten-free diets become more popular.
Since oats are grown and processed alongside wheat, there is a high risk of gluten contamination in oats. But for those unbothered by gluten, an allergy to a protein found in oats called avenin may cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to oats can include:
CongestionDiarrheaDifficulty breathingHivesIrritated eyesIrritation in the mouth or throatNauseaSkin rashVomiting
If your baby develops a rash or any other symptoms after coming in contact with oatmeal, it may be time to talk to a health care provider about screening for an oat allergy. Of course, if your child is experiencing any distress, like difficulty breathing, be sure to seek emergency medical care right away.
To diagnose an oat allergy, your doctor might conduct an oral food challenge (OFC), which is the gold standard for testing for food allergies. Doctors do an OFC by giving your child a controlled amount of oats to see if and what reaction occurs. The good news is that doctors can tell the difference between a reaction from oats contaminated with gluten due to processing or a genuine allergy to avenin, the protein found in oats.
When to Contact a Health Care Provider
No matter what skin condition you're treating with an oatmeal bath, if your child's symptoms do not get better, they appear to get worse, or if they develop other symptoms, call a health care provider. Additionally, if you notice your child having any averse or distressing allergic reactions to an oatmeal bath, be sure to reach out to a health care provider right away, and/or seek emergency medical assistance as needed.
Additional reporting by Stephanie Brown.
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