Dry or sensitive skin, eczema, insect bites and contact allergies can cause itchy skin. A traditional way to soothe the itch is to add oatmeal to your bathwater. Soothing itchy skin will interrupt the cycle of scratching, dryness, worsening of the irritation, and even infection. Hydrocortisone-containing medicines and calamine lotion are often recommended by doctors to relieve itch, but colloidal oatmeal (oatmeal that has been milled to a fine powder), is a natural remedy that has been used for well over a century. It is been clinically proven that oatmeal provides protection and temporary relief of itching and irritation caused by insect bites, skin rashes and allergies. The next time you are feeling itchy, try soaking in a warm bath with oatmeal added for a soothing and moisturizing effect. Gently towel dry and moisturize to reduce any loss of hydration. Implementing these simple steps will help calm the itch and stop the cycle of dry skin.