Oats and Skin Health

The use of oats to treat a variety of dermatologic conditions dates back to ancient Egypt and was described in the medical literature from Roman times. Current research has legitimized their use to treat a broad range of cutaneous disease. In vitro and in vivo studies have established that avenanthramides, metabolites that are unique to oats, possess anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antioxidant, and antifungal properties. These properties confer numerous benefits to patients with atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, pruritic dermatoses, sunburn, drug eruptions, and other conditions. Despite supportive evidence in the current literature, which advocates topical oatmeal as a successful adjunct to conventional therapeutic strategies, more research is needed to better understand the efficacy and potential side effects of this naturally abundant plant.