Does Oatmeal Really Soothe Itchy Skin?

  • Thread starter Thread starter morgan?
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effectiveness of oatmeal in soothing itchy skin, particularly in the context of conditions like chicken pox. Participants share personal experiences and propose various hypotheses regarding the mechanism by which oatmeal may provide relief.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants recall using oatmeal baths during chicken pox and question why oatmeal is effective.
  • One participant contrasts their experience with calamine lotion, suggesting that chemical treatments may not always be superior to natural remedies like oatmeal.
  • Another participant speculates that oatmeal works due to its astringent properties.
  • There are claims that oatmeal leaves a powder film on the skin that helps with itching, supported by an anecdote about using oatmeal shampoo on a dog with allergies.
  • Humorous exchanges about the tradition of welcoming new members with fish, which diverges from the main topic but adds a light-hearted tone to the discussion.
  • One participant jokingly suggests that Quaker oatmeal is blessed with a prayer that alleviates itching, while another humorously mentions an alternative remedy involving cow dung.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of personal experiences and opinions regarding the effectiveness of oatmeal for itchy skin, with no consensus reached on the mechanisms or superiority of oatmeal compared to other treatments.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the effectiveness of oatmeal are anecdotal and may depend on individual experiences. The discussion includes humor and informal exchanges that may distract from the primary topic.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in natural remedies for skin irritation, those seeking anecdotal evidence about oatmeal's effectiveness, and members of the community looking for light-hearted interactions related to forum traditions.

morgan?
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so did anyone else take oatmeal baths when they had the chicken pox or something itchy? why does oatmeal help?
 
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When I was fourteen and had chicken pox the doctors gave me a bottle of calamine lotion. I used the whole thing and felt no effect on the affected area. They didn't say anything about oatmeal, but normally aren't chemicals better than plants with illnesses?
 
And will somebody hit her with a fish already? She's already got one post for cryin out loud!
 
Mk said:
And will somebody hit her with a fish already? She's already got one post for cryin out loud!

now I'm nervous! why would you hit me with a fish?!
 
Hi, Morgan. The reference is that you have not yet been slapped upside the head with the traditional PF 'Welcome' fish. When I started here, we were just given a fish to chomp on. A couple of vegetarians joined, so we had to just whap them with the fish since they wouldn't eat them. You must already be in good standing, though, because apparently your fish is not frozen.

Anyhow, I suspect that the oatmeal thing works because it's an astringent.
 
Salmon,Cod, or Haddock?? Decisions...Decisions...
 
I believe that salmon is the weapon of choice most of the time, but we had to use a minnow for yomamma.
 
morgan? said:
so did anyone else take oatmeal baths when they had the chicken pox or something itchy? why does oatmeal help?
They say when it drys it leaves a powder film on the skin and the powder helps the itching. I've used oatmeal shampoo on my dog for a bad allergy that made her loose a lot of her fur and gave her very rough skin. The shampoo made her skin feel smooth and soft for about a week.

Oh and, try the fish, it's great.
 
Danger said:
I believe that salmon is the weapon of choice most of the time, but we had to use a minnow for yomamma.

I'll take your word for it...

*wacks Morgan with a Salmon*
 
  • #10
G01 said:
I'll take your word for it...

*wacks Morgan with a Salmon*
The salmon is for two year anniversaries!

Due to inflation, I'm afraid all new members will henceforth be whacked with blocks of frozen chum. :frown:

The good news is that if they survive the initial blow, they will most likely become good members.

BTW G01, I don't remember hitting you.

<WHAM>

Now you're official. :approve:
 
  • #11
*pelts Morgan with frozen oatmeal*

feel better?
 
  • #12
Evo said:
The salmon is for two year anniversaries!

Due to inflation, I'm afraid all new members will henceforth be whacked with blocks of frozen chum. :frown:

The good news is that if they survive the initial blow, they will most likely become good members.

BTW G01, I don't remember hitting you.

<WHAM>

Now you're official. :approve:


AGGGGGGGGHHHHHH! I thought you would have forgotten about it by now!
 
  • #13
:biggrin:
we need tiny fish icons to signify which members have been properly greeted.
http://image.versiontracker.com/client_icons/com.uri.Fish-icon-32x32-8bit.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #14
Math Is Hard said:
:biggrin:
we need tiny fish icons to signify which members have been properly greeted.
http://image.versiontracker.com/client_icons/com.uri.Fish-icon-32x32-8bit.gif
Ooooh,[/URL] good idea. :approve:

But it's just so much fun <WHAM> sorry G01, you were just the closest victim. :biggrin:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #15
well i must say i do feel quite welcome. :smile: although maybe a little dizzy and fishy. but not at all itchy thanks to the oatmeal! :biggrin:
 
  • #16
Quaker blesses their oatmeal with a secret Quaker prayer which drives out all itching and cholestrol wherever their oatmeal is applied.
 
  • #17
Ki Man said:
Quaker blesses their oatmeal with a secret Quaker prayer which drives out all itching and cholestrol wherever their oatmeal is applied.
Ah, that's must be where the the inject-oatmeal-into-your-heart treatment they're working on at Penn State comes from.
 
  • #18
what?? cow dung works even better.
 

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