How to Treat Chicken Pox With Oatmeal

An oatmeal bath is the safe, natural and effective way to soothe the itching caused by chicken pox. By dissolving colloidal oatmeal--which is rolled oats that have been milled into a fine powder--into a bathtub full of cool water, you may experience relief for several hours.

Instructions

1

Use a coffee grinder or food processor to mill colloidal oatmeal from rolled oats to treat chicken pox. You'll know when the oats are properly ground when a spoonful quickly dissolves into a glass of water, producing a milky liquid.

2

Dissolve 1 to 3 cups of colloidal oatmeal in cool to lukewarm bath water, taking time to ensure that all oatmeal clumps are broken up completely. The bath water should appear evenly milky before you get in the tub.

3

Soak in the tub for at least 15 minutes, taking care to submerge as much of your body as possible underneath the surface of the water. Avoid getting any of the water into your eyes, since the oatmeal will sting, and be careful in getting in and out of the tub, since it will be slippery.

4

Remove the entire oatmeal residue from your skin before you completely exit the tub by rinsing in cool water. Any leftover oatmeal may dry out your skin and increase itching.

5

Dry your body carefully by dabbing away moisture with a thick, absorbent towel. Avoid rubbing your skin with the towel and irritating the sores from the chicken pox, which may cause bleeding and scarring.

6

Repeat this procedure at least twice a day to effectively treat the pain and itching caused by chicken pox.

7

Apply calamine lotion to your skin before you get dressed. Used in combination with oatmeal baths, calamine lotion can relieve the pain and itching caused by chicken pox throughout the day.