colloidal oatmeal is an anti-itching skin protectant with soothing properties. Its lipid content gives it enhanced lubricity and emolliency. Colloidal oatmeal has consistently been recommended for use on infants, adults, and the aged in bath, lotion, and poultice preparations designed for topical application on damaged skin. The addition of colloidal oatmeal into bath water diminishes inflammation and irritation that frequently occur in eczema cases when bathing with soap alone. It is used in cleansing creams, soaps, and bath products.
Veterinary Drugs and Treatments
Colloidal oatmeal is used topically as an antiinflammatory and antipruritic, but an exact mechanism for this effect is not known. It is
thought that as the concentration of oatmeal increases, both its drying and antipruritic effects increase; it has been suggested that it may
inhibit prostaglandin synthesis.
