When you have dry, itchy skin, it can be difficult to concentrate on anything but your own discomfort. The itching and discomfort may have you scrambling to find relief. If your medicine cabinets are empty of hydrocortisone cream or other itch relievers, a baking soda oatmeal bath can help you find relief with items you already have around the house. Oatmeal is a powerful skin soother and is recommended by MayoClinic.com as a way to beat the itch.
Step 1
Cut a 5-inch by 5-inch square of fabric. Cotton or muslin works well. Lay it on a flat surface, and spoon in 1 cup. uncooked or colloidal oatmeal. Add 2 tbsp. baking soda. Tie the edges of the square of fabric so it forms a small bag around the oatmeal and baking soda, instructs the book "Organic Body Care Recipes."
Step 2
Tie the top of your fabric bag with a small piece of string. Then, tie the small bag directly under your bath faucet. Turn on the water, making sure to keep it cool to lukewarm. Hot water can dry out your skin and make the itchy feeling even worse. The water should flow through the bag to disperse the anti-itch properties evenly through the water.
Step 3
Enter the bathtub and soak for 15 to 20 minutes. If your itching doesn't subside, add another scoop of oatmeal.
Step 4
Pat your body dry when you get out of the bathtub. Ribbing and scrubbing with a towel may feel good for a moment, but it can exacerbate your condition. If possible, allow your body to air dry.
Step 5
Coat your fingers in olive oil and apply to the areas that itch. Olive oil has soothing moisturizing properties and is a natural way to keep your skin hydrated. It also works if you have a dry, itchy scalp, Robert Rietschel, chairman of the Department of Dermatology at the Ochsner Clinic, tells MotherNature.com. Apply some to your hair and leave for 10 minutes before shampooing.
Things You'll Need
- Oatmeal
- Baking soda
- Cloth
- String
- Olive oil
References
- MayoClinic.com: Itchy Skin
- MotherNature.com: Scalp Itching
- "175 Homemade Herbal Formula for Glowing Skin": Stephanie Tourles; 2007
