Natural Ingredients · Skin ingredient
Colloidal Oatmeal
Avena sativa L. (oat), colloidal oatmeal · also called colloidal oat, oatmeal skin protectant, oatmeal bath ingredient
Colloidal oatmeal is oat made into a fine material that mixes into water or creams. The FDA lists it as a skin protectant for minor itching and irritation. The trials we found are small and short, mostly of creams, and many come from a maker of skin products. Main cautions: wet tubs are slippery, a minority of people (mostly children with eczema) react to oat, and skin that gets worse needs a doctor.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is oat made into a very fine material that mixes into water, creams and lotions. In the US it is a listed skin protectant, and labels may say it helps relieve minor itching from rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, and insect bites. In children with mild to moderate eczema, one 3-week trial found a 1% cream did about as well as a prescription barrier cream, but there was no placebo group and the trials were by a skin-care company. We found no controlled bath trial. Oat can cause skin allergy in some people, mostly children with eczema, though studies disagree. Wet tubs are slippery, and skin that gets worse needs a doctor.
What it is
Colloidal oatmeal comes from oats, Avena sativa L., a grass (family Poaceae; accepted name in the GBIF plant database). The FDA lists it as an active ingredient in its rule for over-the-counter skin protectant drug products, with a minimum amount of 0.007 percent in the finished product (0.003 percent with mineral oil). The rule does not say how colloidal oatmeal is made.
Oats contain compounds called avenanthramides. In lab and animal work they calmed inflammation signals and reduced scratching in mice. We found no study that proves these explain the results in people. Ordinary kitchen oats are not shown to be the same as a product made to meet the rule, and we give no home recipe.
How it is used
Products include creams, lotions, washes and bath products. The FDA rule says bath products should carry directions to reach at least 0.007 percent for a tub, sitz or infant bath, with label wording to soak 15 to 30 minutes as needed or as directed by a doctor, then pat dry without rubbing. That is label rule text, not advice for any one person.
Reviews call colloidal oatmeal an old remedy with a long history in dermatology. We found no source naming the peoples or places that used oat baths.
What the research shows
Children with eczema: a randomised, double-blind trial of 90 children (6 months to 18 years) with mild to moderate eczema compared a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream with a prescription barrier cream for 3 weeks. The oatmeal cream was non-inferior on the eczema score and no safety issues were identified. There was no placebo group, so it shows the creams were similar, not that oatmeal beats doing nothing. A later report on the 49 Black or African American children in the same trial and two small uncontrolled studies agree. A 2025 review is positive, but it is a narrative review.
Who paid: the main trials were written by employees of Johnson & Johnson Consumer (author affiliations), and a paper on how avenanthramides work is also from that company. A 2024 lab paper on a synthetic avenanthramide is by employees of another skin-product company. A 2021 test that found a yeast extract beat an oatmeal lotion for itch is from the group that makes the yeast extract.
Other uses: one trial in hand eczema (29 of 79 did not finish), one uncontrolled study of rash from cancer medicines in 30 people, and two small studies of dry skin in healthy women (no comparison group described). No controlled trial of a bath, and no trial for poison ivy or insect bites, was found.
Health-body statements
US FDA, 21 CFR Part 347 (rule first published 4 June 2003; current text read 30 October 2026): colloidal oatmeal is a skin protectant active ingredient; allowed label uses are temporary protection and relief of minor irritation and itching due to rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, and insect bites; required warnings include stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or lasts more than 7 days. EU and other regulators were not checked.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (2019): oat-derived cosmetic ingredients are safe in the practices of use and concentration described when formulated to be nonsensitizing, with insufficient data for oat meristem cell extract.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Described in reviews as an old skin remedy used in dermatology; no source read names who first used it.
- Skin protectant active ingredient in US over-the-counter rules since 2003 (FDA).
- Used in bath products, creams and lotions for dry, itchy or eczema-prone skin.
Studied for research
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in children, low
- Itch, low
- Chronic irritant hand eczema, low
- Preventing eczema in high-risk infants, very low
- Dry skin and skin barrier in healthy adults, very low
- Rash from cancer medicines (EGFR inhibitors), very low
- Poison ivy, oak, sumac and insect bites (label wording only), insufficient
- Oatmeal baths, insufficient
- Kitchen oats on skin, insufficient
Main compounds
- Avenanthramides, phenolic compounds from oats (lab and animal work)
- Oat proteins, including avenin (the allergen studied in skin tests)
- Other phytochemicals, not listed in the sources read
Common forms
- Creams, lotions and washes with colloidal oatmeal (most of the research)
- Bath products labelled under the FDA rule
- Not the same as kitchen oats; not shown to be equal
Research links: FDA rule: skin protectant drug products (21 CFR Part 347) · 1% colloidal oatmeal cream versus prescription barrier cream in children (abstract) · Review: colloidal oat emollients in infants with eczema (abstract) · Oat sensitisation in children with eczema (abstract) · Oat and wheat as contact allergens (abstract) · Safety assessment of oat-derived cosmetic ingredients (abstract) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Avena sativa L. (oat); colloidal oatmeal is oat prepared as a fine, dispersible material
- Naming authority
- L. (GBIF accepted name)
- Synonyms
- colloidal oat; colloidal oats; oatmeal skin protectant
- Common names
- Colloidal oatmeal (English); Colloidal oat (English)
- Family or group
- Poaceae (grass family)
- Native range
- Not described in the sources read.
- Habitat
- Not described in the sources read.
- Cultivation
- Not described in the sources read.
- Harvest and processing
- The FDA rule sets the minimum amount in a finished product but does not describe how colloidal oatmeal is made. We give no home recipe.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Ordinary kitchen oats or rolled oats; Note: Not shown to be the same as a product made to meet the FDA rule. No source read compares them.; Name: Oat straw and oat-straw tea; Note: Other oat products used for different purposes; see their own pages.; Name: Oat extracts and oils in cosmetics; Note: A review warns oat-derived oils may not be free of protein.; Name: Wheat and rice colloidal grains; Note: Studied together with oat in one patch study; other grains.
Photographs
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Dermatology, long-standing use | A 2010 review says colloidal oatmeal has a long history of beneficial use in dermatology, and a 2020 overview says it has a long-standing history; a 2015 abstract calls it a centuries-old topical treatment. None of these names the peoples or period. | p20865844 |
| US regulation (2003) | The FDA listed colloidal oatmeal among skin protectant active ingredients in a rule first published on 4 June 2003. | s-ecfr-347 |
| Named traditional or folk use | No source read documents named peoples or places using oat baths, so none is described. | s-ecfr-347 |
Traditional use shows how it was used. It does not show that it works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avenanthramides | Phenolic compounds (polyphenols) from oats | Oat grain About 300 parts per million in oats (Sur 2008 abstract) | In lab work they blocked NF-kappaB in skin cells and lowered interleukin-8 release; applied to mouse skin they lowered inflammation and scratching. 21 4 | In vitro and animal |
| Oat proteins (including avenin) | Seed proteins | Oat grain | Oat protein is the test material for oat allergy in skin tests; avenin is the protein that can trigger immune responses in some coeliac patients when eaten. 3 10 | Observational |
| Other phytochemicals | Various | Oat grain | An overview says colloidal oatmeal is made of various phytochemicals with several effects; the abstract does not list them. 1 | Narrative review |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflammation signalling (NF-kappaB, cytokines, histamine) | NF-kappaB; interleukin-8 | Avenanthramides blocked NF-kappaB in skin cells and reduced IL-8; review authors add that they can reduce histamine release. This is lab and animal evidence. 21 4 | In vitro and animal |
| Skin barrier genes and pH buffering | Genes for epidermal differentiation, tight junctions and lipids | Colloidal oatmeal extracts raised barrier-related gene activity and buffered pH in lab tests, and recovered barrier damage in a skin model of eczema. 11 | Laboratory research |
| Tight junctions with a synthetic avenanthramide | Tight junction proteins | A lab-made avenanthramide raised tight junction proteins in skin cells and restored markers after eczema-related cytokine exposure. It is synthetic and from a company lab. 16 | Laboratory research |
| Anti-itch effect | Not specified | In mice avenanthramides reduced scratching after an itch trigger. Whether this explains the itch results in people is not shown. 21 | Animal research |
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Most mechanism work is on avenanthramides or extracts, while the clinical studies used finished creams and lotions with other ingredients. The lab results cannot be credited to a bath of oatmeal.
Nutritional composition
Oats are also a food (see the oats page). This page is about colloidal oatmeal used on the skin, not as a food.
3 low certainty3 very low certainty3 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 9 benefits and uses checked for Colloidal Oatmeal, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in childrenLow certainty
- Itch (pruritus) with dry or eczema skinLow certainty
- Preventing eczema in high-risk infantsVery low certainty
- Dry skin and skin barrier in healthy adultsVery low certainty
- Chronic irritant hand eczemaLow certainty
- Skin rash from certain cancer medicines (EGFR inhibitors)Very low certainty
- Minor irritation from rashes, poison ivy, oak, sumac and insect bites (label wording)Not enough evidence
- Oatmeal bathsNot enough evidence
- Ordinary kitchen oats put on the skinNot enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)Itch score (10 cm scale)Skin water loss and hydrationHand eczema severity and quality of life
What is Colloidal Oatmeal good for?
The uses people ask about, and how strong the evidence is for each. Most of the eczema evidence is from small, short trials of creams, and the main ones come from a maker of skin products. Read it with the safety section.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in children
Low certaintyIn one 3-week trial of 90 children with mild to moderate eczema, a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream did about as well as a prescription barrier cream. There was no placebo group, and the main trials were run by authors who work for Johnson & Johnson Consumer, a skin-care company.
5 studiesOver-the-counter creams labelled as skin protectants (the studies use…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One randomised, double-blind, active-controlled trial (90 children aged 6 months to 18 years) plus a later look at its 49 Black or African American children, and two small uncontrolled studies in people aged 8 to 80 (59 in all). A 2025 review of colloidal oat emollients in children is positive but does not pool studies.
Results
In the 2017 trial at week 3, the oatmeal cream was non-inferior to a prescription barrier cream on the eczema score (EASI change 0.18, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.70, margin 1.5). Itch and investigator scores improved in both groups. No safety issues were identified. In the 49-child subgroup EASI fell by 2.4 (oatmeal) and 2.1 (barrier cream). In the two uncontrolled studies the scores improved over 14 days, and two side effects were reported by one person in one study. The 2025 review says fewer flares and less steroid use were reported with colloidal oat emollients.
Effect sizes as reported
No placebo or no-treatment comparison. "Non-inferior" means not clearly worse than the other cream, not better than nothing.
Why this rating
One active-controlled trial of 3 weeks, no placebo, mild to moderate eczema, and the main trials come from authors who work for Johnson & Johnson Consumer. The other studies have no control group, and the 2025 review is a narrative review.
Form and dose studied
Over-the-counter creams labelled as skin protectants (the studies used a 1% cream). Nothing here is advice on how to use any product.
Who was studied
Children and adults with mild to moderate eczema (mostly children in the main trial).
Limits
Short (about 3 weeks). Mild to moderate eczema only. Cream, not bath. Industry-run. No head-to-head test against plain moisturiser or against a placebo cream was read.
Why researchers looked
Eczema skin has a weak barrier and is itchy and dry, and a skin protectant that calms and covers the skin is a natural thing to test.
Traditional use
The sources read call colloidal oatmeal an old remedy: one abstract calls it a centuries-old topical treatment, and a review says it has a long history in dermatology. No source read names the peoples or places that used it.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Lab work suggests oat compounds called avenanthramides calm inflammation signals in skin cells. This has been shown in cells and mice, not proven as the reason for the results in children.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the allergy section: a minority of children with eczema react to oat. Eczema that is severe, infected or not improving needs a clinician.
Itch (pruritus) with dry or eczema skin
Low certaintyItch scores improved in the eczema studies and in small studies of dry skin, but none had a placebo group. One test found a yeast-extract lotion reduced itch faster than a colloidal oatmeal lotion.
4 studiesSkin-protectant lotions and creams only.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Itch was measured on a 10 cm scale in the children's eczema trial and in the two uncontrolled studies. A small study of 29 healthy women with itchy dry lower legs used a colloidal oatmeal lotion. A 60-person randomised test compared a new yeast extract with a leading oatmeal lotion.
Results
Itch improved in both arms of the children's trial (difference between creams 0.10 on the 10 cm scale, 95% CI -0.83 to 1.04, so no clear difference between them). Itch improved after the oatmeal cream in the uncontrolled studies and the lotion study. In the 60-person test the yeast extract lowered itch more than the oatmeal lotion (P = .0001), with relief in as little as a minute; that result is about the oatmeal lotion doing less well than a new product.
Effect sizes as reported
No placebo-controlled measure of itch relief was read.
Why this rating
Itch is subjective and the main studies have no placebo. The one head-to-head test favoured a competitor product made by the authors' group.
Form and dose studied
Skin-protectant lotions and creams only.
Who was studied
Children and adults with eczema; healthy women with dry skin.
Limits
No placebo control. Industry-linked on both sides (oatmeal makers and a competing product).
Why researchers looked
Itch is the most bothersome part of eczema and dry skin, and oat is widely used to soothe it.
Traditional use
The sources read call colloidal oatmeal an old remedy: one abstract calls it a centuries-old topical treatment, and a review says it has a long history in dermatology. No source read names the peoples or places that used it.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Avenanthramides blocked an inflammation switch (NF-kappaB) and reduced scratching in mice in lab work; this is animal and cell evidence only.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Itch that keeps you awake, spreads, or lasts beyond 7 days should be seen by a clinician, as the FDA label says.
Preventing eczema in high-risk infants
Very low certaintyA 2025 review says early, regular use of moisturisers may lower eczema in high-risk babies. It is a review that covers moisturisers in general, and it does not show that colloidal oatmeal prevents eczema.
2 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One 2025 narrative review (colloidal oat emollients in infants). No trial of colloidal oatmeal alone for preventing eczema was read.
Results
The abstract says studies suggest early, consistent use of advanced emollient formulations may lower eczema incidence in high-risk infants and reduce food sensitisation. It does not give numbers or name the studies.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect size can be given.
Why this rating
A narrative review that does not pool the studies, with prevention claims about "advanced emollient formulations" in general. At the same time a French study found oat sensitisation in a notable share of young children with eczema, so use in babies with eczema is not settled.
Who was studied
High-risk infants.
Limits
No oat-specific prevention trial was read. Babies with eczema may react to oat protein (see Safety).
Why researchers looked
Babies with a family history of eczema are the focus of prevention research.
Traditional use
No traditional use for this purpose is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not described in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Ask the baby's doctor before using oat products on a baby with eczema.
Dry skin and skin barrier in healthy adults
Very low certaintyTwo small lab-plus-people studies found improved dryness and barrier measures in healthy women with dry lower legs after a colloidal oatmeal lotion, with no comparison group described in the abstracts.
2 studiesSkin-protectant lotions.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Two investigator-blinded studies of 29 and 50 healthy women with dry lower legs, each paired with lab tests of colloidal oatmeal extracts.
Results
After the lotion the women had improvements in dryness, scaling, roughness (29 women) and dryness, moisturisation and barrier (50 women).
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstracts.
Why this rating
No comparison group is described in the abstracts, the lotion contained other ingredients, and funding is not stated (an industry link is likely).
Form and dose studied
Skin-protectant lotions.
Who was studied
Healthy women with dry lower legs.
Limits
Healthy skin only in both studies; neither had a placebo group.
Why researchers looked
Dry skin is the common reason people reach for oatmeal products.
Traditional use
The sources read call colloidal oatmeal an old remedy: one abstract calls it a centuries-old topical treatment, and a review says it has a long history in dermatology. No source read names the peoples or places that used it.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
In the lab, colloidal oatmeal extracts raised activity of genes tied to skin barrier and buffered pH; this is cell evidence only.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Dry skin that cracks or oozes should be checked by a clinician.
Chronic irritant hand eczema
Low certaintyOne randomised trial of a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream after a short steroid ointment found symptoms stayed down in the oatmeal group and crept back in the control group. Many people dropped out.
1 studiesA 1% colloidal oatmeal cream after a prescription steroid ointment.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One double-blind randomised trial in Iran: 79 adults were randomised and 50 finished (26 oatmeal, 24 control).
Results
After 2 weeks of a prescription steroid ointment, oatmeal cream or a base cream was used for 4 weeks. Severity and itch scores were similar to week 2 in the oatmeal group but returned toward baseline in the control group (p < 0.001), and quality-of-life scores improved more with oatmeal (p < 0.001).
Effect sizes as reported
No confidence intervals in the abstract.
Why this rating
One small trial with 29 of 79 not finishing, a single centre, and oatmeal given after a steroid.
Form and dose studied
A 1% colloidal oatmeal cream after a prescription steroid ointment.
Who was studied
Adults with chronic irritant hand eczema.
Limits
Not oatmeal alone. Dropout was high.
Why researchers looked
Hands in water and soap often become irritated; oatmeal cream is a common choice for dry hands.
Traditional use
No traditional use for this condition is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not described in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Prescription steroid ointments need a clinician's advice.
Skin rash from certain cancer medicines (EGFR inhibitors)
Very low certaintyOne small before-and-after study of 30 people found lower rash severity and itch after using a colloidal oatmeal lotion. There was no comparison group.
1 studiesA colloidal oatmeal lotion applied several times a day for 4 weeks in…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One single-group, before-and-after study of 30 people.
Results
Severity, body area affected and itch were lower at every check than before use (P < .05). No adverse effects were reported.
Effect sizes as reported
No confidence intervals in the abstract.
Why this rating
One group, no comparison, small convenience sample; the rash may improve with other care or time.
Form and dose studied
A colloidal oatmeal lotion applied several times a day for 4 weeks in the study.
Who was studied
People with cancer receiving EGFR inhibitors.
Limits
Rashes from cancer drugs need the oncology team to decide on treatment.
Why researchers looked
Some cancer medicines cause a rash and dry, itchy skin that affects treatment.
Traditional use
No traditional use is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not described in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Tell the cancer team before using any lotion on a rash from cancer treatment.
Minor irritation from rashes, poison ivy, oak, sumac and insect bites (label wording)
Not enough evidenceUS rules let products with colloidal oatmeal say they temporarily protect and help relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, and insect bites. That is permitted label wording, not trial evidence for each.
1 studiesFinished over-the-counter skin protectants as labelled.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial of colloidal oatmeal for poison ivy, oak, sumac or insect bites was found in the sources read. The FDA rule is the source of this item.
Results
The label may say "temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to" rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, or insect bites. It must tell users to stop and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days.
Why this rating
A regulator label rule, not a trial. We did not read a controlled trial for poison ivy or bites.
Form and dose studied
Finished over-the-counter skin protectants as labelled.
Who was studied
General public, minor skin irritation only.
Limits
Label wording, not proof of effect.
Why researchers looked
The FDA reviewed skin protectant ingredients as a group and listed this use.
Traditional use
The rule was first published in 2003. No older use by named peoples is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
Not applicable (regulatory text).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Follow the label; do not use on broken, infected or worsening skin without advice.
Oatmeal baths
Not enough evidenceThe FDA rule describes bath directions (soak 15 to 30 minutes as directed, pat dry), but no controlled trial of a colloidal oatmeal bath was found in the sources read.
1 studiesBath products labelled under the FDA rule only; no home recipe is giv…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No controlled trial of a colloidal oatmeal bath was read. The trials above were of creams and washes.
Results
The FDA text sets label directions for baths and requires warnings about slipping and about overdrying. It does not report trial results.
Why this rating
Proper trial evidence for baths was not found. Rule text is not evidence of benefit.
Form and dose studied
Bath products labelled under the FDA rule only; no home recipe is given here.
Limits
Wet tubs are slippery, and soaking too long may overdry some skin conditions.
Why researchers looked
Oatmeal baths are the best-known home use.
Traditional use
No traditional bath use by named peoples is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Authoritative guidance
Not applicable.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Use a mat in the tub or shower, as the label requires, and stop and ask a doctor if the skin worsens.
Ordinary kitchen oats put on the skin
Not enough evidenceNo source read tested kitchen oats on the skin, and no source says they are the same as a product made to meet the FDA rule.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No study was read.
Results
Nothing to report.
Why this rating
No evidence found in the sources read; the FDA rule sets a minimum amount for finished products and does not describe how colloidal oatmeal is made.
Limits
No data.
Why researchers looked
People often try breakfast oats in a bath.
Traditional use
No traditional use is described in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not applicable.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not treat kitchen oats as the same as a labelled product; see the allergy and slip warnings.
Connections to the rest of health
How Colloidal Oatmeal connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Skin | Low certainty | Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in children: In one 3-week trial of 90 children with mild to moderate eczema, a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream did about as well as a prescription barrier cream. There was no placebo group, and the main trials were run by authors who work for Johnson & Johnson Consumer, a skin-care company. Itch (pruritus) with dry or eczema skin: Itch scores improved in the eczema studies and in small studies of dry skin, but none had a placebo group. One test found a yeast-extract lotion reduced itch faster than a colloidal oatmeal lotion. | 13 15 14 7 6 19 5 20 | |
| Healthy Skin | Very low certainty | Preventing eczema in high-risk infants: A 2025 review says early, regular use of moisturisers may lower eczema in high-risk babies. It is a review that covers moisturisers in general, and it does not show that colloidal oatmeal prevents eczema. Oatmeal baths: The FDA rule describes bath directions (soak 15 to 30 minutes as directed, pat dry), but no controlled trial of a colloidal oatmeal bath was found in the sources read. | 7 3 23 | |
| Healthy Skin | Very low certainty | Dry skin and skin barrier in healthy adults: Two small lab-plus-people studies found improved dryness and barrier measures in healthy women with dry lower legs after a colloidal oatmeal lotion, with no comparison group described in the abstracts. Skin rash from certain cancer medicines (EGFR inhibitors): One small before-and-after study of 30 people found lower rash severity and itch after using a colloidal oatmeal lotion. There was no comparison group. | 19 11 12 | |
| Healthy Skin | Not enough evidence | Minor irritation from rashes, poison ivy, oak, sumac and insect bites (label wording): US rules let products with colloidal oatmeal say they temporarily protect and help relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, and insect bites. That is permitted label wording, not trial evidence for each. | 23 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune system | Adverse effect or risk | Mixed findings | Contact allergy to oat reported, mostly in children with eczema; some studies found none. Preparation or compound: Oat protein in skin products |
3 18 9 17 |
| Digestive system | Adverse effect or risk | Low certainty | Eating oats can cause symptoms in some people with coeliac disease; skin products not studied. Preparation or compound: Oats eaten (avenin) |
10 22 |
| Skin Hair Beauty | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Eczema (atopic dermatitis) in children Studied for: Itch (pruritus) with dry or eczema skin | 13 15 14 7 6 19 5 3 11 20 12 23 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 13 15 |
| Itch score (10 cm scale) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 13 5 |
| Skin water loss and hydration | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: improved. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 14 |
| Hand eczema severity and quality of life | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 20 |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NF-kappaB inflammation pathway | Preliminary mechanism | In vitro and animal | Avenanthramides block it in skin cells in lab tests. | 21 4 |
| Skin barrier and tight junctions | Preliminary mechanism | In vitro | Extracts raised barrier genes in lab tests. | 11 16 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avenanthramides | Biological association | In vitro and animal | In lab work they blocked NF-kappaB in skin cells and lowered interleukin-8 release; applied to mouse skin they lowered inflammation and scratching. Preparation or compound: Oat grain |
21 4 |
| Oat proteins (including avenin) | Biological association | Observational | Oat protein is the test material for oat allergy in skin tests; avenin is the protein that can trigger immune responses in some coeliac patients when eaten. Preparation or compound: Oat grain |
3 10 |
| Other phytochemicals | Biological association | Narrative review | An overview says colloidal oatmeal is made of various phytochemicals with several effects; the abstract does not list them. Preparation or compound: Oat grain |
1 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 30, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 3 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Colloidal Oatmeal. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed for colloidal oatmeal and avenanthramides in eczema, itch, dry skin and hand eczema, and for oat allergy, gluten and safety, read the abstracts of 21 papers, and read the US FDA rule text and the GBIF plant database. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Every paper was read as an abstract only. Several trials are by authors who work for a maker of skin products, and we say so. No study is cited that we could not verify.
Study library: every study we checked 23
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allais 2020 ARTICLE: Colloidal Oatmeal Part I: History, Basic Science, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (supplement) · PMID 33026768 |
Narrative review review |
Overview article on colloidal oatmeal | Colloidal oatmeal Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) |
The article says colloidal oatmeal has a long-standing history in treating skin disease and is made of various phytochemicals. It lists several mechanisms (anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, antioxidant, antifungal, prebiotic, barrier repair, effects on skin pH). Narrative overview (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: History, mechanisms and clinical use Limitations: A supplement article; the abstract names no studies, and funding is not stated. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. It appears in a journal supplement, which is often sponsored. Read: abstract |
| Becker 2019 Safety Assessment of Avena sativa (Oat)-Derived Ingredients As Used in Cosmetics International Journal of Toxicology · PMID 31840550 · DOI |
Safety assessment review |
Expert-panel review of animal and human data on oat-derived cosmetic ingredients | Avena sativa (oat)-derived cosmetic ingredients Oat-derived cosmetic ingredients |
The panel concluded that all but one of the oat-derived ingredients are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration described, when formulated to be nonsensitizing. Data were insufficient to conclude safety for Avena sativa (oat) meristem cell extract. It advises formulators to avoid levels that may lead to sensitisation and to limit impurities with good manufacturing practice. Panel conclusion: safe when formulated to be nonsensitizing (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Safety in cosmetics Limitations: It covers cosmetic ingredients, not the drug-labelled skin protectant. The abstract does not say which oat ingredients are in the list or how colloidal oatmeal was handled. Funding and conflicts: The panel is the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an industry-supported expert panel (PubMed lists non-US government research support). Funding details are not in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Boussault 2007 Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, risks and associated factors Allergy · PMID 17919139 · DOI |
Observational |
302 302 children with atopic dermatitis referred for allergy testing in a French hospital, 2001 to 2004 |
Oat protein in skin tests; repeated open application of oat products and oral food challenge in sensitised children Oat protein (test extract) |
Oat patch test was positive in 14.6% and prick test in 19.2%. Children under 2 were more likely to have a positive patch test. In oat-sensitised children, an oral challenge was positive in 5 of 32 (15.6%) and a repeated open application test in 7 of 25 (28%). 32% of oat-cream users had a positive patch test versus 0% of non-users. The authors suggest avoiding oat-protein products in infants with eczema. Oat sensitisation was higher than expected in this referred group (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Positive atopy patch tests and skin prick tests to oat; challenge results Limitations: Children were referred for allergy testing, so they are not a random sample of all children with eczema. The test material was oat protein, not a finished colloidal oatmeal product. It cannot prove oat cream caused the sensitisation. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Cerio 2010 Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · PMID 20865844 |
Narrative review review |
Review of colloidal oatmeal in dermatology | Colloidal oatmeal Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) |
The review calls colloidal oatmeal a natural product with a long history in dermatology and an excellent safety record. It says avenanthramides in whole oat grain can inhibit NF-kappaB and the release of inflammatory cytokines and histamine, and suggests topical oatmeal formulations as part of eczema care that may allow less use of corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors. Narrative; supportive (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Mechanisms and clinical use Limitations: A narrative review; the abstract names no studies. Its strong wording is the authors' opinion. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Dhurat 2021 Novel yeast extract is superior to colloidal oatmeal in providing rapid itch relief Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · PMID 32359021 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
60 60 patients (itch; the abstract does not describe the cause of itch) |
A baker's yeast extract lotion versus a leading colloidal oatmeal lotion Colloidal oatmeal lotion (comparator) · vs A colloidal oatmeal lotion (the comparator) |
The yeast extract lowered itch more than the colloidal oatmeal lotion (P = .0001), and in as little as one minute. This is evidence that the colloidal oatmeal lotion was less effective at rapid itch relief than the new product, not that oatmeal did nothing. Oatmeal lotion was the comparator and did worse than the new extract (P = .0001 (no interval in the abstract)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Itch reduction after application Limitations: Oatmeal was the comparison, not the tested product. Short test of rapid itch relief. Size of the oatmeal effect is not given. Funding and conflicts: Probable competitor link: the study tested the authors' own new yeast extract, and several authors are linked to the company that developed it (the abstract describes the extraction as their earlier work). Funding is not stated. Read: abstract |
| Diluvio 2019 Clinical and confocal evaluation of avenanthramides-based daily cleansing and emollient cream in pediatric population affected by atopic dermatitis and xerosis Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia · PMID 30207438 · DOI |
Clinical trial |
Children with atopic dermatitis and dry skin (xerosis); number not given in the abstract | A cleanser plus an emollient cream containing colloidal oatmeal, avenanthramides, shea butter and oat oil (combination product) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 1 month |
The abstract reports better epidermal thickness, dryness, itching and cracking after one month of use of the oat cleanser and lotion. Improvement reported; effect sizes not given in the abstract (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: EASI, investigator score, itch, quality of life, skin imaging (confocal microscopy) Limitations: A combination product, so the benefit cannot be credited to colloidal oatmeal alone. Number of children and any control group are not stated in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Fowler 2025 Is colloidal oat an effective emollient ingredient for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis in infants? Journal of Dermatological Treatment · PMID 40256827 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Literature review of clinical and preclinical studies of colloidal oat emollients in infants and children with atopic dermatitis | Colloidal oat emollients (creams and washes) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) |
The review says colloidal oat emollients improved hydration and reduced water loss, with fewer flares and less steroid use. It says studies suggest early use of advanced emollients may lower eczema in high-risk infants. It says concerns about oat sensitisation remain unsubstantiated in most studies. Narrative summary; no pooled effect (None given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin hydration, water loss, flares, steroid use, eczema prevention, food sensitisation, oat sensitisation, health-care use Limitations: A literature review, not a pooled analysis, so its strength depends on the studies chosen. It covers emollients in general, and its prevention claims refer to "advanced emollient formulations" that are not all oat products. The abstract does not name the studies. Funding and conflicts: Funding and competing interests are not stated in the abstract. Links of the authors to manufacturers were not checked. Read: abstract |
| GBIF Secretariat 2026 Avena sativa L. (GBIF Backbone Taxonomy) GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species 2705290), API checked 2026-10-30 · Source |
Reference database n/a |
n/a | n/a |
Avena sativa L. is an accepted name in the family Poaceae (grass family). Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Accepted name and family Limitations: A naming database; it says nothing about safety or use. Funding and conflicts: Non-profit; no commercial funding. Read: api |
| Goujon 2009 Tolerance of oat-based topical products in cereal-sensitized adults with atopic dermatitis Dermatology · PMID 19223682 · DOI |
Open label pilot |
12 12 adults with atopic dermatitis who were sensitised to cereals |
Oat-containing cosmetics and oat extracts (a French oat-based product line, not colloidal oatmeal as such) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 45 days |
Repeated and maximised application of the oat cosmetics caused no immediate or delayed allergic reaction. No positive skin test to oat extracts was seen. No reaction in 12 people (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Immediate and delayed reactions; patch and prick tests Limitations: Only 12 people, open-label, adults. Different oat product from the colloidal oatmeal skin protectants. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract; PubMed lists it as research supported by a non-US government source. Read: abstract |
| Hardy 2025 Purified oat protein can trigger acute symptoms linked to immune activation in coeliac disease patients but not histological deterioration Gut · PMID 39961645 · DOI |
Feeding study |
33 33 treated adults with coeliac disease (HLA-DQ2.5 positive); 29 took part in the avenin tests |
Swallowed purified oat protein (avenin), or whole oats for 3 months Oat protein (avenin), swallowed Single dose or 6 weeks of avenin; 3 months of whole oats |
Avenin caused dose-related T-cell activation in 11 of 29 (38%) and acute symptoms in 17 of 29 (59%). One person (3%) vomited and had a wheat-like strong reaction. Symptoms fell over 6 weeks and no gut damage was seen. The authors conclude a minority of coeliac patients may need to exclude oats. Short-term symptoms common, gut damage not seen (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: T-cell activation (IL-2 in blood), symptoms, gut biopsies Limitations: This is about swallowing oat protein, not about skin products. Small group, treated coeliac disease only. Funding and conflicts: Several authors report consulting or research funding from drug and biotech companies (not oat makers). Read: abstract |
| Ilnytska 2016 Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena Sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · PMID 27272074 |
Lab plus small clinical human and in vitro |
50 Lab tests of four colloidal oatmeal extracts on skin cells and a skin model, plus 50 healthy women with moderate to severe dry lower legs |
Colloidal oatmeal extracts (lab) and a colloidal oatmeal skin protectant lotion (clinical) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) |
The extracts raised the activity of genes linked to skin barrier and buffered pH in the lab. The lotion was followed by clear improvements in dryness, moisturisation and barrier in the women. Improvement from baseline; lab findings are not proof of the same effect in the body (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Barrier-related gene activity and pH in the lab; skin dryness, moisturisation and barrier in people Limitations: Healthy women with dry skin, not eczema. No comparison group described in the abstract. Lab tests used extracts. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Author Southall also appears on a Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products paper read here (2008), so an industry link is likely but is not confirmed by the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Ke 2017 Effects of Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion on Symptoms of Dermatologic Toxicities Induced by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors Advances in Skin & Wound Care · PMID 27984271 · DOI |
Single group pre post |
30 30 people with cancer who had skin reactions to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor medicines |
Colloidal oatmeal lotion applied 3 to 5 times a day Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 4 weeks |
Severity, area affected and itch were all lower at every check than before using the lotion. No adverse effects were reported. Improvement from baseline; no control (p < .05 for all measures; no intervals in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Severity of skin toxicity, body area affected, itch Limitations: One group with no comparison, so improvement may be natural change or other care. Small convenience sample. Skin reactions to cancer drugs need medical care. Funding and conflicts: Hospital grants; authors report no financial interests. Read: abstract |
| Lisante 2017 Efficacy and safety of an over-the-counter 1% colloidal oatmeal cream in the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children: a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled study Journal of Dermatological Treatment · PMID 28366039 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
90 90 children aged 6 months to 18 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (mean age 8.1 years; 54.4% African American) |
1% colloidal oatmeal cream (over the counter) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 3 weeks · vs A prescription barrier cream (active comparator, no placebo) |
At week 3 the oatmeal cream was non-inferior to the prescription barrier cream on EASI. Itch and investigator scores improved in both groups. No safety issues were identified. Comparable to the prescription barrier cream (non-inferior); not tested against no treatment (EASI adjusted mean change from baseline, ITT 0.18 (-0.35 to 0.70); per protocol 0.14 (-0.42 to 0.70); non-inferiority margin 1.5. Investigator score difference 0.106 (-0.130 to 0.341); itch difference 0.103 (-0.831 to 1.038)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), Investigator Global Assessment, itch on a 10 cm scale, safety Limitations: No placebo or no-treatment group, so it shows the cream was comparable to another cream, not that it beats doing nothing. Only 3 weeks. Mild to moderate eczema only. Funding and conflicts: Industry-linked: the authors are employees of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc (author affiliations in the abstract). Funding is not stated separately. Registration: NCT01326910 Read: abstract |
| Lisante 2017 A 1% Colloidal Oatmeal Cream Alone is Effective in Reducing Symptoms of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: Results from Two Clinical Studies Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · PMID 28697218 |
Single arm trials |
59 Two single-centre, single-arm studies: 29 patients (aged 8 to 67) and 30 patients (aged 10 to 80) with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis |
1% colloidal oatmeal cream (over the counter) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 14 days |
EASI, investigator score and itch improved after use, and gains lasted to day 14. In the second study skin water loss fell and hydration rose. Adverse events: 2 in one patient in study 1, none in study 2. Improvement from baseline in uncontrolled studies (No confidence intervals in the abstract. In study 1 at day 14, 82.8% had at least 20% EASI improvement.) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: EASI, investigator score, itch, skin water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, adverse events Limitations: No control group, so improvement cannot be separated from natural change or the effect of any moisturiser. Short (14 days). Small. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. The first three authors are the same as the Johnson & Johnson 2017 trial above, so an industry link is likely but is not confirmed by this abstract. Read: abstract |
| Lisante 2023 A 1% colloidal oatmeal OTC cream is clinically effective for the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in Black or African American children Journal of Dermatological Treatment · PMID 37592879 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
49 49 Black or African American children aged 2 to 15 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis (a subgroup of the 2017 trial) |
1% colloidal oatmeal cream (over the counter) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 3 weeks · vs A ceramide-based prescription barrier cream (no placebo) |
At week 3, EASI fell by 2.4 with the oatmeal cream and by 2.1 with the barrier cream. Both creams were well tolerated. Similar change in both groups; no placebo, so no measure of benefit over no treatment (Mean (SD) EASI change: -2.4 (1.7) versus -2.1 (2.3); IGADA change -0.6 (0.7) versus -0.7 (0.6). No confidence intervals in the abstract.) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: EASI, Investigator Global Assessment, caregiver-rated signs and symptoms, tolerance Limitations: A subgroup of the 2017 trial, so it is not an independent result. No placebo group. 3 weeks. Funding and conflicts: Industry-linked: authors from Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc (a Kenvue subsidiary) and Janssen; one academic dermatologist. Read: abstract |
| Park 2024 Dihydroavenanthramide D Enhances Skin Barrier Function through Upregulation of Epidermal Tight Junction Expression Current Issues in Molecular Biology · PMID 39329899 · DOI |
Lab study in vitro |
Human skin cells (HaCaT) and reconstructed skin models | Dihydroavenanthramide D (a lab-made version of an oat compound) Synthetic avenanthramide (not plant material) |
The lab-made compound raised tight junction protein activity and restored barrier markers in cells treated with eczema-related inflammatory signals. The paper says avenanthramides are the main bioactive parts of colloidal oatmeal. Cell-culture findings only (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cell growth, tight junction proteins, barrier markers Limitations: Cells and skin models only. The compound tested is synthetic, not an oat extract. Funding and conflicts: Authors are employees of LG Household & Health Care, a company that sells skin products. Read: abstract |
| Pigatto 1997 An evaluation of the allergic contact dermatitis potential of colloidal grain suspensions American Journal of Contact Dermatitis · PMID 9358111 |
Controlled trial |
65 65 children aged 6 months to 2 years in Italy (43 with atopic dermatitis, 22 without) |
Oat and rice colloidal grain suspensions in patch tests, at 0.007% and 0.7% Oat and rice colloidal grain Patch test |
There were no immediate or allergic reactions in any child. 5 of 43 (12%) children with eczema had irritant reactions. The authors saw no evidence of sensitisation to the colloidal grains in this group. No allergic reactions in 65 children (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Immediate (hives) and allergic skin reactions, blood tests for allergy (RAST) Limitations: A patch test of grain suspensions, not a long-term trial of products on eczema skin. 1997, small, 65 children. The abstract mentions bath therapy use in Italy. Funding and conflicts: Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Pootongkam 2013 Oat and wheat as contact allergens in personal care products Dermatitis · PMID 24201466 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Review of reports of reactions to oat and wheat in personal care products | Oat- and wheat-derived ingredients in personal care products Oat- and wheat-derived ingredients |
The review says immediate- and delayed-type reactions to oat and wheat in personal care products have been reported, mostly in people with atopic dermatitis. It suggests patch testing with oat and wheat proteins more often, especially in atopic children, and complete avoidance of oat- or wheat-derived products because it could not conclude that components such as oils are free of protein. Reports and a precautionary recommendation (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Immediate and delayed allergic reactions Limitations: A review of reports; it does not say how common reactions are. The advice to avoid all oat-derived products is more cautious than other sources read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Reynertson 2015 Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin Journal of Drugs in Dermatology · PMID 25607907 |
Lab plus small clinical human and in vitro |
29 Lab tests of four colloidal oatmeal extracts, plus 29 healthy women with mild to moderate itch and dry lower legs |
Colloidal oatmeal extracts (lab) and a colloidal oatmeal skin protectant lotion (clinical) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) |
The extracts lowered inflammatory signals in cell tests. The lotion was followed by clear improvements in dryness, scaling, roughness and itch. Improvement from baseline; lab findings are not proof of the same effect in the body (Not given in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Inflammatory chemicals and antioxidant activity in the lab; dryness, scaling, roughness and itch intensity in people Limitations: Healthy women with dry skin, not people with a skin disease. No comparison group is described in the abstract. The lab work used extracts, not a bath or a cream. Funding and conflicts: Funding is not stated in the abstract. Two authors (Kizoulis, Southall) also appear on other papers read here from Johnson & Johnson Consumer, so an industry link is likely but is not confirmed by the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Sobhan 2020 The Efficacy of Colloidal Oatmeal Cream 1% as Add-on Therapy in the Management of Chronic Irritant Hand Eczema: A Double-Blind Study Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology · PMID 32273745 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
79 79 adults with chronic irritant hand eczema were randomised; 50 finished (26 oatmeal, 24 control) |
1% colloidal oatmeal cream after 2 weeks of a prescription steroid ointment (fluocinolone 0.025%) Oat grain, milled (Avena sativa) 4 weeks of cream after 2 weeks of steroid (6 weeks total) · vs A base cream (control) |
After the steroid, symptoms stayed down in the oatmeal group but returned toward baseline in the control group. Quality-of-life scores improved more with oatmeal. Better than base cream at keeping symptoms down after steroid (p < 0.001 reported) (p < 0.001 for severity, itch and quality of life; no intervals in the abstract) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Hand eczema severity index, itch on a visual scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index Limitations: 29 of 79 people did not finish, which can distort results. Single centre. Oatmeal was an add-on after a steroid, so this is not oatmeal alone. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts of interest declared by the authors. Funding not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Sur 2008 Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity Archives of Dermatological Research · PMID 18461339 · DOI |
Lab and animal in vitro and animal |
Human skin cells in the lab and mouse models | Avenanthramides (oat phenolic compounds) Avenanthramides (compounds from oat) |
Avenanthramides at very low concentrations blocked NF-kappaB activity in skin cells and cut release of interleukin-8. Applied to mouse skin they lowered inflammation and scratching. The authors say avenanthramides appear to mediate the anti-irritant effects of oats. Lab and mouse findings only (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Inflammation signals in skin cells; contact hypersensitivity, neurogenic inflammation and itch in mice Limitations: Lab cells and mice. Not a test in people, and not a test of colloidal oatmeal itself. Funding and conflicts: Industry: the authors work at the Skin Research Center of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products. Read: abstract |
| Thompson 2023 Gluten cross contact in oats: retrospective database analysis 2011 to 2023 Frontiers in Nutrition · PMID 38075234 · DOI |
Retrospective analysis n/a |
213 213 food packages with oats in the ingredients that were tested by one independent gluten-testing service, 2011 to May 2023 |
Oat food products (not skin products) Oat food products |
24 of 213 packages (11%) had gluten at or above 5 mg/kg. The share was 35% in 2022. The author says this level of cross contact is long established for oats. 11% over the threshold; peak 35% in 2022 (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Gluten at or above 5 mg/kg (ppm) Limitations: Retrospective, uneven numbers per year and brand, and these were foods, not colloidal oatmeal skin products. Funding and conflicts: The first author owns Gluten Free Watchdog, the testing service that supplied the data (stated as no conflict by the authors). Read: abstract |
| US Food and Drug Administration 2003 Title 21, Part 347: Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (Code of Federal Regulations) Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR Part 347 (text current to October 2026; first published 68 FR 33377, 4 June 2003) · Source |
Regulatory text n/a |
n/a | Colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant active ingredient Rule sets a product minimum (see results) |
Colloidal oatmeal is listed as a skin protectant active ingredient at 0.007 percent minimum (0.003 percent minimum with mineral oil). The label may say it temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, or insect bites. For bath products the maker gives directions to reach at least 0.007 percent for a tub, sitz or infant bath, and 0.25 percent for a foot bath; the label says soak 15 to 30 minutes as needed or as directed by a doctor, and pat dry without rubbing. Warnings: for external use only; do not get into eyes; stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days; to avoid slipping, use a mat in the tub or shower; in some skin conditions, soaking too long may overdry. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Regulator statement Limitations: This is a label and ingredient rule. It describes the allowed wording for finished products and is not a finding that the product works for every skin problem. The text does not describe how colloidal oatmeal is made. Funding and conflicts: Public body; no commercial funding. Read: full-text (relevant sections) |
What we do not know yet
- What the evidence supports: the FDA lists colloidal oatmeal as a skin protectant; one 3-week trial found a 1% cream comparable to a prescription barrier cream in children with mild to moderate eczema; other uses are weakly supported.
- No placebo-controlled or independent trial of colloidal oatmeal creams in eczema was read, and no controlled trial of an oatmeal bath.
- No trial for poison ivy, oak, sumac or insect bites, and none for kitchen oats on skin.
- Oat allergy evidence is mixed, and long-term use on infants with eczema has not been tested.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, medicine interactions, contamination of skin products and gluten in skin products were not covered. EU rules were not checked.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and are placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any evidence rating or safety wording. New publications never change ratings automatically.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 4
Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI)
Lowered in trials
A doctor's score of how much skin is affected and how red, thick and scratched it is.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see whether a cream makes eczema better.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Shows the cream did about as well as another cream. No placebo group, so benefit over nothing is unknown.
Safety implication
No safety issues were identified in the 2017 trial abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | At week 3 the 1% oatmeal cream was non-inferior to a prescription barrier cream: adjusted mean change difference 0.18 (95% CI -0.35 to 0.70; margin 1.5). | 90 children, 6 months to 18 years | 1% colloidal oatmeal cream versus prescription barrier cream, 3 weeks |
| 15 | EASI fell by 2.4 (SD 1.7) with oatmeal cream and 2.1 (SD 2.3) with barrier cream at week 3. | 49 Black or African American children, 2 to 15 years | 1% oatmeal cream versus ceramide-based prescription barrier cream, 3 weeks |
Itch score (10 cm scale)
Lowered in trials
The person's or parent's own rating of itch on a line from none to worst.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Itch is the main complaint in eczema.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Self-rated and without a placebo. In the 60-person test the oatmeal lotion was the comparison product.
Safety implication
None reported in the abstracts read.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Itch improved in both groups; the difference between creams was 0.10 (95% CI -0.83 to 1.04). | 90 children | 1% oatmeal cream versus prescription barrier cream, 3 weeks |
| 5 | A yeast-extract lotion lowered itch more than a colloidal oatmeal lotion (P = .0001). | 60 patients | Colloidal oatmeal lotion as the comparator |
Skin water loss and hydration
Improved in trials
How much water escapes through the skin and how much moisture is in its top layer.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Healthy skin holds water; eczema skin leaks it.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Uncontrolled, short.
Safety implication
No safety issue reported for this measure.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | In the second uncontrolled study skin water loss was significantly lower and hydration higher at all checks after 14 days of 1% oatmeal cream; numbers are not given in the abstract. | 30 patients aged 10 to 80 with mild to moderate eczema | 1% colloidal oatmeal cream, 14 days, no control |
Hand eczema severity and quality of life
Lowered in trials
A rated score of how bad hand eczema is, with a quality-of-life questionnaire (DLQI).
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To see if symptoms stay down after steroid treatment.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One trial with high dropout.
Safety implication
None noted in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | Symptoms stayed down in the oatmeal group but returned toward baseline in the control group; quality-of-life scores improved more with oatmeal (p < 0.001). | 50 adults who finished (79 randomised) | 1% colloidal oatmeal cream versus base cream, after 2 weeks of a steroid ointment |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- Wet tubs are slippery. The FDA rule requires bath products with colloidal oatmeal to carry the warning "to avoid slipping, use mat in tub or shower". It also requires the warning that in some skin conditions soaking too long may overdry the skin. Authoritative guidance 23
- Oat can cause skin allergy, mostly in children with eczema. In a French study of 302 children with eczema referred for allergy testing, oat protein gave a positive patch test in 14.6% and a positive prick test in 19.2%. Among the oat-sensitised children, an oral challenge was positive in 5 of 32 and a repeated open application test in 7 of 25. A review says immediate and delayed reactions to oat in personal care products have been reported, mostly in people with eczema. Other studies found none: 12 cereal-sensitised adults had no reaction to oat cosmetics, and 65 young children had no allergic reaction to colloidal oat or rice patch tests (12% of those with eczema had irritant reactions). The honest summary is mixed: reactions seem uncommon, but they are not absent, and they may be more likely in babies with eczema. Observational 3 18 9 17
- See a doctor if the skin gets worse or does not improve. The FDA label wording says to stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens, or if symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days. Swelling of the face, lips or throat, wheezing or trouble breathing after use is an emergency. Authoritative guidance 23
- Coeliac disease and gluten. Coeliac disease is triggered by swallowing gluten. No source read tested whether colloidal oatmeal skin products carry gluten or cause trouble on the skin. For eating oats, a 2025 feeding study in 29 treated coeliac patients found purified oat protein (avenin) caused immune activation in 38% and short-term symptoms in 59%, with no gut damage over weeks, and one person had a strong reaction. A tested set of 213 oat food packages found 24 (11%) had gluten at or above 5 mg/kg. If you have coeliac disease, ask your clinician about oats you eat. Observational 10 22
Side effects 5
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact allergy or sensitisation to oat protein Studies disagree. The 302-child group was referred for allergy testing, so the share is probably higher than in all children with eczema. | 14.6% patch-test positive in referred children with eczema (302); none in two smaller studies | moderate Not described in the abstracts; stop contact and ask a clinician | Observational 3 9 17 |
| Irritant reactions on skin Irritant, not allergic, in that study. | 5 of 43 (12%) children with eczema in a patch test of oat and rice colloidal grain | mild Not described | Controlled trial 17 |
| Overdrying from long soaks FDA-required warning for bath, compress and wet-dressing products. | Not established | mild Not described | Authoritative guidance 23 |
| Slipping and falling in a wet tub FDA-required warning text for tub soaks. | Not established | moderate Depends on the injury | Authoritative guidance 23 |
| Few side effects in trials Short trials by authors at a maker; this does not rule out rare reactions. | No safety issues in the 90-child 2017 trial; 2 events in one person across two uncontrolled studies | mild n/a | Controlled trial 13 14 |
Medicines and supplements 3
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription skin medicines such as steroid ointments drug | Not described in the sources read. | In the hand eczema trial oatmeal cream was used after a steroid ointment, and the abstract does not report side effects from combining them. No interaction study was read. | Randomized trial Low certainty 20 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist about using several skin products together. |
| Other ingredients in the same product (fragrance, preservatives, other botanicals) other | A finished product contains more than oat. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel says formulators should avoid levels of constituents that may lead to sensitisation when several botanicals are combined. | A reaction may come from another ingredient, not the oat. Patch testing can sort this out. | Authoritative guidance Low certainty 2 | Read the ingredient list; ask a clinician about patch testing if you react. |
| Medicines taken by mouth drug | No interaction between skin-applied colloidal oatmeal and oral medicines was found in the sources read; that is not proof there is none. | Gap Not enough evidence | Ask a pharmacist if you take several medicines. |
Who should check first 6
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Babies and young children with eczema | One study suggests avoiding oat-protein products in infants with eczema (oat sensitisation in 14.6% to 19.2% of a referred group, higher in under 2s). Another found no allergy in 65 children aged 6 months to 2 years, and a 2025 review calls oat sensitisation concerns unsubstantiated in most studies. The FDA rule includes infant bath directions. Ask the baby's doctor first. | Observational 3 17 7 23 |
| Known oat or wheat allergy, or a past reaction to an oat product | Avoid oat-based products. A review also suggests patch testing in atopic children and, as a precaution, avoiding all oat- or wheat-derived products because oat-derived oils may not be protein-free. | Narrative review 18 |
| Broken, infected or worsening skin | Do not rely on a skin protectant. The FDA label says to stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens. | Authoritative guidance 23 |
| Coeliac disease (eating oats) | A minority of people with coeliac disease may need to exclude oats; ask your clinician. No source read covers skin products. | Observational 10 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Not covered in the sources read. That is not proof of safety, so ask a clinician. | Gap |
| Liver disease, kidney disease and surgery | Not described in the sources read for skin products. | Gap |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. The sources read describe skin products and no serious toxic effects. The main hazards found are allergy and slips in the tub.
Animal. Not reviewed beyond mouse lab work on avenanthramides (no toxicity reported in the abstract).
High dose or long term signals. Not described in the sources read. The longest trial was a few weeks.
Genotoxicity. Not described in the sources read.
No source read measured contaminants in colloidal oatmeal skin products. The cosmetic panel advises good manufacturing practice to limit impurities. Oats in food are often cross-contaminated with gluten grains.
Gluten cross contact in oat foods. 24 of 213 tested oat food packages (11%) had gluten at or above 5 mg/kg; 35% in 2022. These were foods, not skin products. 22
Impurities in cosmetic oat ingredients. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel said industry should keep using good manufacturing practices to limit impurities. 2
Kitchen oats versus labelled products. The FDA rule sets a minimum amount for finished products. No source read compares them with kitchen oats. 23
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 21 CFR Part 347 (skin protectant drug products) (United States) | Colloidal oatmeal is a skin protectant active ingredient at 0.007 percent minimum (0.003 percent minimum with mineral oil). Labels may say it temporarily protects and helps relieve minor skin irritation and itching due to rashes, eczema, poison ivy, oak or sumac, or insect bites. Required warnings include: for external use only; do not get into eyes; stop use and ask a doctor if the condition worsens or symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days; use a mat to avoid slipping in the tub; soaking too long may overdry in some skin conditions. Bath directions cover tub, sitz, infant and foot baths. source | 2003-06-04 |
| Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel (industry-supported) (United States) | Concluded that all but one of the Avena sativa (oat)-derived ingredients it reviewed are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration described, when formulated to be nonsensitizing; data were insufficient for oat meristem cell extract. source | 2019 |
When to get medical help
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat, hives all over, wheezing or trouble breathing after using an oat product: get emergency help now.
- A rash that spreads quickly, blisters, oozes or becomes painful after starting a product: stop it and ask a clinician.
- Skin that gets worse, or symptoms lasting more than 7 days or returning within a few days: stop use and ask a doctor, as the label says.
- A fall in the tub with injury or a hit to the head: seek care.
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is colloidal oatmeal?
Is it the same as regular oats?
Not shown to be. The FDA rule sets a minimum amount for finished products and does not describe how colloidal oatmeal is made. We found no study comparing it with kitchen oats.
Can an oatmeal bath treat eczema?
Labels may say colloidal oatmeal products help relieve minor itching due to eczema, and they tell you to ask a doctor if the skin worsens or lasts over 7 days. We found no controlled trial of an oatmeal bath, so we cannot say it treats eczema.
Does it help with itch?
Can you be allergic to colloidal oatmeal?
Is it safe for babies?
Why does the label warn about slipping?
The FDA rule requires bath products with colloidal oatmeal to warn users to use a mat in the tub or shower. It also warns that soaking too long may overdry some skin conditions.
Does it work as well as a prescription cream?
In one 3-week trial in 90 children with mild to moderate eczema, a 1% colloidal oatmeal cream was non-inferior to a prescription barrier cream. There was no placebo group, so this is a comparison of two creams, not proof it beats no treatment.
Who paid for the studies?
Can it prevent eczema in babies?
A 2025 review says early regular use of moisturisers may lower eczema in high-risk babies, but it covers moisturisers in general and does not prove that colloidal oatmeal prevents eczema.
Is it safe if I have coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity?
When should I see a doctor?
The label says to stop use and ask a doctor if the skin gets worse, or if symptoms last more than 7 days or come back within a few days. Get emergency help for swelling of the face or throat or trouble breathing.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-30
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-30
- How we research
- We searched PubMed for colloidal oatmeal and avenanthramides in eczema, itch, dry skin and hand eczema, and for oat allergy, gluten and safety, read the abstracts of 21 papers, and read the US FDA rule text and the GBIF plant database. Certainty ratings are the compiler's own reading. Every paper was read as an abstract only. Several trials are by authors who work for a maker of skin products, and we say so. No study is cited that we could not verify.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. This page is information, not a recommendation to buy or use any product.
Sources 23
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Allais B, Friedman A. ARTICLE: Colloidal Oatmeal Part I: History, Basic Science, Mechanism of Action, and Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (supplement). 2020. PMID 33026768. (abstract)
- Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW, Gill LJ, Heldreth B. Safety Assessment of Avena sativa (Oat)-Derived Ingredients As Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2019. PMID 31840550. DOI 10.1177/1091581819889904. (abstract)
- Boussault P, Leaute-Labreze C, Saubusse E, Maurice-Tison S, Perromat M, Roul S, Sarrat A, Taieb A, Boralevi F. Oat sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis: prevalence, risks and associated factors. Allergy. 2007. PMID 17919139. DOI 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2007.01527.x. (abstract)
- Cerio R, Dohil M, Jeanine D, Magina S, Mahe E, Stratigos AJ. Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2010. PMID 20865844. (abstract)
- Dhurat R, Sharma A, Surve R, McCoy J, Kovacevic M, Goren A, Tan Y, Zou Y, Goldust M, Situm M, Stanimirovic A. Novel yeast extract is superior to colloidal oatmeal in providing rapid itch relief. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2021. PMID 32359021. DOI 10.1111/jocd.13436. (abstract)
- Diluvio L, Dattola A, Cannizzaro MV, Franceschini C, Bianchi L. Clinical and confocal evaluation of avenanthramides-based daily cleansing and emollient cream in pediatric population affected by atopic dermatitis and xerosis. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia. 2019. PMID 30207438. DOI 10.23736/S0392-0488.18.06002-9. (abstract)
- Fowler JF, Ma L, Bergman J, Horowitz P, Lavender T, Eichenfield LF, Draelos Z, Danby SG, Cork MJ. Is colloidal oat an effective emollient ingredient for the prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis in infants?. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2025. PMID 40256827. DOI 10.1080/09546634.2025.2487945. (abstract)
- GBIF Secretariat. Avena sativa L. (GBIF Backbone Taxonomy). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (species 2705290), API checked 2026-10-30. 2026. (api)
- Goujon C, Jean-Decoster C, Dahel K, Bottigioli D, Lahbari F, Nicolas JF, Schmitt AM. Tolerance of oat-based topical products in cereal-sensitized adults with atopic dermatitis. Dermatology. 2009. PMID 19223682. DOI 10.1159/000203649. (abstract)
- Hardy MY, Russell AK, Henneken LM, Tanner G, Bekes F, Brown I, Motyer A, Olechnowicz SWZ, Reid HH, Rossjohn J, Tye-Din JA. Purified oat protein can trigger acute symptoms linked to immune activation in coeliac disease patients but not histological deterioration. Gut. 2025. PMID 39961645. DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2024-333589. (abstract)
- Ilnytska O, Kaur S, Chon S, Reynertson KA, Nebus J, Garay M, Mahmood K, Southall MD. Colloidal Oatmeal (Avena Sativa) Improves Skin Barrier Through Multi-Therapy Activity. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2016. PMID 27272074. (abstract)
- Ke YT, Kuo CC. Effects of Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion on Symptoms of Dermatologic Toxicities Induced by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors. Advances in Skin & Wound Care. 2017. PMID 27984271. DOI 10.1097/01.ASW.0000505611.28732.ba. (abstract)
- Lisante TA, Nunez C, Zhang P. Efficacy and safety of an over-the-counter 1% colloidal oatmeal cream in the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children: a double-blind, randomized, active-controlled study. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2017. PMID 28366039. DOI 10.1080/09546634.2017.1303569. (abstract)
- Lisante TA, Nunez C, Zhang P, Mathes BM. A 1% Colloidal Oatmeal Cream Alone is Effective in Reducing Symptoms of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis: Results from Two Clinical Studies. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2017. PMID 28697218. (abstract)
- Lisante TA, Kizoulis M, Nunez C, Hartman CL. A 1% colloidal oatmeal OTC cream is clinically effective for the management of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in Black or African American children. Journal of Dermatological Treatment. 2023. PMID 37592879. DOI 10.1080/09546634.2023.2241587. (abstract)
- Park J, Shin JY, Kim D, Jun SH, Jeong ET, Kang NG. Dihydroavenanthramide D Enhances Skin Barrier Function through Upregulation of Epidermal Tight Junction Expression. Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 2024. PMID 39329899. DOI 10.3390/cimb46090547. (abstract)
- Pigatto P, Bigardi A, Caputo R, Angelini G, Foti C, Grandolfo M, Rizer RL. An evaluation of the allergic contact dermatitis potential of colloidal grain suspensions. American Journal of Contact Dermatitis. 1997. PMID 9358111. (abstract)
- Pootongkam S, Nedorost S. Oat and wheat as contact allergens in personal care products. Dermatitis. 2013. PMID 24201466. DOI 10.1097/DER.0b013e3182a745f8. (abstract)
- Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD. Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. 2015. PMID 25607907. (abstract)
- Sobhan M, Hojati M, Vafaie SY, Ahmadimoghaddam D, Mohammadi Y, Mehrpooya M. The Efficacy of Colloidal Oatmeal Cream 1% as Add-on Therapy in the Management of Chronic Irritant Hand Eczema: A Double-Blind Study. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology. 2020. PMID 32273745. DOI 10.2147/CCID.S246021. (abstract)
- Sur R, Nigam A, Grote D, Liebel F, Southall MD. Avenanthramides, polyphenols from oats, exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-itch activity. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2008. PMID 18461339. DOI 10.1007/s00403-008-0858-x. (abstract)
- Thompson T, Keller A. Gluten cross contact in oats: retrospective database analysis 2011 to 2023. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2023. PMID 38075234. DOI 10.3389/fnut.2023.1284636. (abstract)
- US Food and Drug Administration. Title 21, Part 347: Skin Protectant Drug Products for Over-the-Counter Human Use (Code of Federal Regulations). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 21 CFR Part 347 (text current to October 2026; first published 68 FR 33377, 4 June 2003). 2003. (full-text (relevant sections))
