Is oatmeal and water as a effective as an oatmeal and milk bath?

No: If you are suffering from itching then water can sometimes make that worse. Your skin needs moisturizers and milk has fat in it that acts as a moisturizer.

?question confusing?: There is a fine powder created by milling oats that is often added to water to create a therapeutic soak for those with dry skin or itching. I suppose addding it to milk might be ok but a bit overboard. I would never put oatmeal in either fluid as a bath. The gooey mess would plug the plumbing.