What are skin allergies?
Skin allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a perceived threat that would typically be harmless to your body. Common symptoms of a skin allergic reaction may include:
- itching
- redness
- swelling
- raised bumps
- skin flaking
- skin cracking (from dry skin)
The most effective way to avoid skin allergies is to limit or avoid contact with the allergen. But if you do come in contact with the allergen, there are home remedies for addressing the symptoms.
How to treat a skin allergy at home
There a number of home remedies that people have used for years to relieve the symptoms caused by allergic skin reactions. Here are some of them:
Oatmeal
Oatmeal has a variety of biologically active properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. These all can help soothe the itch of allergic skin reactions.
Popular ways to use oatmeal to treat a skin allergic reaction include an oatmeal bath or poultice. Both require powdered oatmeal. You can make powdered oatmeal by grinding store-bought oatmeal into a fine powder using a blender, food processor, or coffee grinder.
Oatmeal bath
- Add 1 cup of powdered oatmeal to a bathtub of lukewarm water.
- Mix the oatmeal thoroughly into the bathwater.
- Get into the tub and fully immerse your body.
- After 30 minutes, rinse yourself with a cool, gentle shower.
Oatmeal poultice
- Add 1/4 cup of powdered oatmeal into a mixing bowl.
- Mix distilled water into the powdered oatmeal, 1 tsp. at a time.
- Continue mixing and adding water until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area.
- Gently bandage the area with a moistened cloth.
- After 30 minutes, remove the moist cloth and gently rinse the area with cool water.
- Moisturize the area.
Options: You can also add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil, four drops of lavender essential oil, or even both.
