Many popular brands list oat proteins as an ingredient in products meant to treat dry or irritated skin. It is often referred to as colloidal, or finely milled, oatmeal. But people with an oat allergy, both adults and children alike, may experience an itchy rash or eczema symptoms when using these products.
This article explains why skin products may cause oat allergy symptoms. It details how an allergic reaction to oats is diagnosed and treated, including what to do if a severe allergic reaction occurs.
Quick Facts About Oat Ingredients
Usually, skin care products that contain oats are meant to treat conditions like atopic dermatitis, a chronic type of eczema skin rash—and in many cases, they do relieve symptoms.
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, contain avenin.
This protein is known to cause an immune system response in some people who avoid gluten. People with a food allergy to oatmeal may experience symptoms including:
CoughSneezingNasal congestion (stuffy nose)Watery, itchy eyesStomach acheNauseaVomitingDifficulty breathingAnaphylaxis (a life-threatening reaction)
These systemic, or body-wide symptoms, are more likely when someone with an oat allergy eats oat products rather than being exposed through the skin. This includes small children, who can develop food-protein induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) from eating certain grains, including oats.
Oat Allergy Symptoms
People with an oat allergy will typically experience red, blotchy spots on the skin called urticaria, or hives. In some cases, an outbreak may occur if a person accidentally touches oats and then other parts of the body.
For people with eczema, skin reactions range from the mild to severe. Symptoms can include:
Crusted or flaky skin around the eyes and lips Itching Blisters
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.
When to Seek Immediate Care
In rare cases, a severe and life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis may occur. This type of body-wide allergic reaction often starts with swelling of the lips and tongue, and itching in the throat, eyes, and ears. These symptoms may soon be followed by:
Severe hives Wheezing Difficulty breathing Edema, or swelling, in the face Changes in heart rate (fast or slow) Chest pain Cyanosis, or a bluish color at the lips or fingers A sense of impending doom
Oat Skin Allergies in Children
Many skin care products are marketed as especially for children. But many of these products include oats, wheat, and other food-allergy triggers that may cause a reaction when used on sensitive skin.
One study of 276 different skin care products for children found that more than a third of the product labels listed a food-related allergen. There were 156 such ingredients, including almonds, egg, milk, and peanuts. Oats was listed as an ingredient in 8.3% of the products studied.
Some experts have questioned whether all children (or children with other allergies) need to avoid oatmeal exposure in moisturizers. 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. If you have severe enough symptoms around oat, chances are you have already begun avoiding oat and would likely require testing with an allergist. Talk with your healthcare provider if you think you may need testing.
Other ways to diagnose an oat sensitivity include skin tests, such as the patch test for a contact allergy. In this test, a patch with a small amount of the suspected allergy-causing substance is placed on the skin for several days to see if there is a reaction.
If tests confirm an oat allergy, you’ll want to avoid exposure to the foods and skin products that contain oats. Most people might easily identify oatmeal, but other products include:
Oat milkOat flourCookies and other baked goodsCereals that contain oatsSnack foods with oat ingredients
Since oat is not one of the top eight food allergens (milk, soy, egg, wheat, peanut, tree nut, fish, and shellfish), manufacturers don’t have to highlight it on nutrition facts labels. But they must still list it as an ingredient.
Treatment
If you or your child develop any allergy symptoms after using an oat-based skin care product, you’ll want to start treatment right away.
Skin Care
Where the skin is irritated or has a rash, wash it right away with cool water and a mild soap. If the rash is mild and covers a small area, you can try an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream to help relieve swelling and itching.
Medication
An oral antihistamine can sometimes help, particularly if you notice mild hives. For children, an over-the-counter product like cetirizine (generic Zyrtec) or diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl) can usually do the trick. Other antihistamines include Claritin (loratadine) and Allegra (fexofenadine).
However, if the rash is severe or blisters begin to develop, call your healthcare provider immediately or visit the nearest emergency room.
Summary
Sometimes, people with a food allergy need to be as careful about the products they put on their bodies as they are with the foods they put in it. That’s the case for people with oat allergy symptoms.
These symptoms, such as a red rash and itchy or irritated skin, can arise when your skin comes in contact with oats. 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 you have a severe allergic reaction to an oat product, though, you need medical help right away.
A Word From Verywell
You may be surprised to learn that oat-based skin care products meant to bring relief for dry, itchy skin can actually cause symptoms for you or your child. If they do, suspect an oat sensitivity and contact your healthcare provider.
