Surely you have heard of oatmeal as a great natural remedy for eczema. However, the most you can find out about it is how to prepare a bath with it. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of articles about it, but almost none mention how it works or if it works at all!

When I started looking for treatments for my eczema, I didn’t want to use chemicals on my body and was afraid of all the cortisone creams my doctor prescribed, so I decided to try only natural treatments. However, she also didn’t want to fall into old wives’ tales that wouldn’t work either. Researching the topic, I discovered that oatmeal really works as a natural treatment and why. Let me explain.

Oatmeal soothes the skin and helps relieve itching and inflammation while helping to keep it hydrated and healthy. In fact, it’s one of the best things you can use on your skin, whether or not you’re trying to treat a skin disorder.

Oatmeal is primarily made up of four skin-promoting components: polysaccharides, proteins, saponins, and fats.

1. Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are a complex sugar that breaks down into a gel-like consistency when mixed with water. Helps prevent dryness by creating a protective barrier on the skin.

2. Oat protein

Oat proteins help protect your skin from potentially irritating substances, including allergens. A natural barrier to help your skin repair itself.

3. saponins

The saponins contained in oatmeal work to cleanse the skin naturally. Clean your skin naturally without irritating it.

4. Fats

The fats found in this grain help moisturize the skin and keep it hydrated.

You can often find oatmeal in many forms, such as lotions or compresses. However, one of the most effective oatmeal remedies is an oatmeal bath.

The oatmeal bath as a remedy for eczema

Start by taking four cups, or two for a young child, of raw, unprepared oatmeal and processing it in a blender or grinder until it becomes a fine powder. Pour the powder into your bathroom while running the warm water.