Many popular brands list oat proteins as an ingredient in products meant to treat dry or irritated skin.
It is often referred to ascolloidal, or finely milled,oatmeal.
This article explains why skin products may cause oat allergy symptoms.
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For people with oat sensitivity, though, these products may actually be the cause of an allergic reaction.
Many types of oats, along with other grains like barley, containavenin.
This protein is known to cause an immune system response in some people who avoid gluten.
For people with eczema, skin reactions range from the mild to severe.
Symptoms can include:
Allergic contact dermatitis may cause a delayed reaction to contact with oats.
Symptoms of a delayed reaction may happen anywhere from a few hours to three days later.
Not all sources of contact with oats will come from foods or skin care products.
For example, many latex-freeexam glovesalso contain colloidal oatmeal.
If you have symptoms ofcontact dermatitisfrom an oat allergy, discuss the possible sources with your healthcare provider.
If you have been prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (an Epi-Pen), use it as directed.
If treatment is delayed, the condition can get worse and lead to anaphylactic shock and even death.
Oat Skin Allergies in Children
Many skin care products are marketed as especially for children.
There were 156 such ingredients, including almonds, egg, milk, and peanuts.
Oats was listed as an ingredient in 8.3% of the products studied.
Many healthcare providers support their use in patients who have no known oat sensitivity.
Diagnosis
It’s important to confirm any oat allergy symptoms that you or your child experience.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you think you may need testing.
But they must still list it as an ingredient.
Medication
An oralantihistaminecan sometimes help, particularly if you notice mild hives.
Other antihistamines include Claritin (loratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine).
That’s the case for people with oat allergy symptoms.
Oats may be an ingredient in skin creams and moisturizers, especially for children.
In many cases, the symptoms will clear up with simple treatments and over-the-counter drugs.
If they do, suspect an oat sensitivity and contact your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually, oats are a good food choice for people with diarrhea.
In some forms of allergy, oat can cause diarrhea.
If you have a food allergy to oats, you should avoid them."
Considergluten-free grainssuch as quinoa or brown rice.
If you need skin care, makeup, pet food, and other products without oats, shop around.
There are many oat- and gluten-free items on the market.
2019;23(1):67-78. doi:10.34763/devperiodmed.20192301.6778
Food & Drug Administration.Skin protectant drug products for over-the-counter human use.
National Eczema Society.Allergy factsheet.
