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Health Tip of the Day
Oatmeal is the best home remedy for all kinds of itching. From simple dry skin to allergic rashes, shingles, and many other conditions. Oats soften the skin and help balance the natural pH levels.
According to British scientists, oats ease swelling, redness and itching, and speed healing. Avenanthramides are an anti-inflammatory compound found exclusively in oats that are helpful for soothing skin irritations.
Plain rolled cooking oats, whole or quick, are effective. Pulverize them in a food processor or blender before using. This powder is the same as the colloidal oatmeal used in many commercial products.
For general all-over itching, soak in an oatmeal bath. Add one cup of powdered oats to warm bathwater. Soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse with cool to tepid water just to wash off any residue.
To calm an itchy spot such as an insect bite, mix powdered oats with water to form a paste. Apply to the itchy spot. Rinse after 15 minutes.
Ground oatmeal can be used for all types of skin irritations including rashes from poison oak and poison ivy, insect bites, allergic reactions from rashes to hives, shingles, psoriasis, drug-induced reactions, sun and wind-burn, and simple dry skin from a dry environment.
Always use whole cooking oats. Do not use oat flour as the bran has been removed. It’s the bran that contains the anti-itching and skin-soothing properties.
Author Marilyn Pokorney
Copyright Marilyn Pokorney 2022
