Can Milk Baths Be Used To Treat Psoriasis?
Anyone with damaged or dry skin knows the difficulty of maintaining moisture. It surely doesn't help that winter is now upon us, which means colder temperatures and less moisture in the air. And what are you to do if your all-time favorite moisturizers and skin treatments aren't working? Before you head to a dermatologist and spend money on an appointment, a good at-home solution to try is a milk bath. Per Verywell Health, people have been taking milk baths for centuries, and many have documented the benefits of milk on the skin. Furthermore, Healthline added that milk baths could treat various skin issues, including eczema, psoriasis, and even sunburn.
"The proteins and vitamins will help calm inflammation and moisturize," Michelle Henry, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, told Good Housekeeping. "Milk also contains nourishing ingredients for your skin, like proteins, fat, vitamins, and minerals." All of which help soothe and replenish any dry skin cells. It sounds like the perfect at-home solution to us!
How do you make a milk bath?
Ok, making a milk bath sounds pretty simple, right? And, it is, except the primary key is knowing which milk to bathe in. If you are lactose intolerant, it's best not to sit in cow milk, as the last thing you want to do is cause an allergy flare up when you're currently suffering from dry skin. That said, Good Housekeeping confirms you can use milk alternatives such as oat milk or goat milk in your bath. Verywell Health added that goat milk is a better alternative to the cow milk typically used in milk baths, as it provides a creamier feel on your skin due to the milk's high fat.
Now that you know which milk you're going to use, it's bathing time. The first step is to add 2 cups of milk, 1/4 cup of honey, and a few drops of oils to your warm water. Then it's soaking time. Dr. Henry warned that you should only soak for up to 30 minutes and take milk baths a maximum of once a week. Yes, we know it may be tempting to bathe in milk to get rid of that dry skin feeling, but you don't want to overdo it.