Calamine Explained

Calamine should not be confused with Chamomile.

Type:combo
Component1:zinc oxide
Class1:astringent
Component2:ferric oxide
Class2:antipruritic
Dailymedid:Calamine
Routes Of Administration:Topical
Atc Prefix:D02
Atc Suffix:AB
Legal Us:OTC
Cas Number:8011-96-9
Pubchem:23083748
Chemspiderid:16112062
Kegg:D03284
Chembl:3989426
Synonyms:Calamine lotion
Stdinchi:1S/2Fe.4O.Zn/q2*+3;4*-2;+2
Stdinchikey:CPYIZQLXMGRKSW-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Smiles:[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Fe+3].[Fe+3].[Zn+2]

Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication made from powdered calamine mineral that is used to treat mild itchiness.[1] Conditions treated include sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, and other mild skin conditions.[2] It may also help dry out secretions resulting from skin irritation.[3] It is applied on the skin as a cream or lotion.[4]

Side effects may include skin irritation.[2] It is considered to be safe in pregnancy.[2] Calamine is a combination of zinc oxide and 0.5% ferric oxide (Fe2O3). The lotion is produced with additional ingredients such as phenol and calcium hydroxide.[5] [6]

The use of calamine lotion dates back as far as 1500 BC.[7] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[8] Calamine is available over-the-counter as a generic medication.[9]

Medical uses

Calamine is used to treat itchiness.[4] This includes sunburn, insect bite, or other mild skin conditions.[2] [9]

Effectiveness

The FDA recommends applying some topical over-the-counter skin products, such as calamine, to absorb the weeping of the skin caused by poisonous plants such as poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. For relieving the pain or itching caused by these plants, the FDA document recommends a cold water compress and topical corticosteroids.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: WHO Model Formulary 2008 . 2009 . 9789241547659 . ((World Health Organization)) . Stuart MC, Kouimtzi M, Hill SR . 10665/44053 . World Health Organization . World Health Organization . 303 .
  2. Web site: Aqueous Calamine Cream BP - Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) - (eMC). www.medicines.org.uk. 29 December 2016. 18 November 2016. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161230000012/https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25283. 30 December 2016.
  3. Web site: Calamine (topical) medical facts from Drugs.com. www.drugs.com. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107030453/https://www.drugs.com/mtm/calamine-topical.html. 2017-11-07.
  4. Book: British National Formulary: BNF 69 . 2015. British Medical Association. 9780857111562. 801. 69.
  5. Book: Braun-Falco O, Plewig G, Wolff HH, Burgdorf W . Topical Therapy . Dermatology. 2012. Springer Science & Business Media. 9783642979316. 1724. 2nd . https://books.google.com/books?id=kK_rCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1724. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161229170841/https://books.google.ca/books?id=kK_rCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1724. 2016-12-29.
  6. Book: Ma JK, Hadzija B . Rheology in Pharmacy . Basic Physical Pharmacy. 2012. Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 9780763757342. 327. https://books.google.com/books?id=NLabiVZSE7QC&pg=PA327. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161230000202/https://books.google.ca/books?id=NLabiVZSE7QC&pg=PA327. 2016-12-30.
  7. Book: Darnton-Hill I, Ahmed F, Samman S . The impact of micronutrients on inflammation and health in low-and middle-income countries. . Bendich A, Deckelbaum RJ . Preventive Nutrition: The Comprehensive Guide for Health Professionals. 2016. Springer. 9783319224312. 597-644 (608) . 5th . https://books.google.com/books?id=l7xPCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA608. en. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161230000055/https://books.google.ca/books?id=l7xPCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA608. 2016-12-30.
  8. Book: ((World Health Organization)) . World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019 . 2019 . 10665/325771 . World Health Organization . World Health Organization . Geneva . WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO . free .
  9. Book: Hamilton R . Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia 2015 Deluxe Lab-Coat Edition . 2015 . Jones & Bartlett Learning . 9781284057560 . 191 .
  10. Web site: Outsmarting Poison Ivy and Other Poisonous Plants . U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Consumer Updates . 9 June 2021 . Originally posted c. June 2009, since updated but advice unchanged . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090605155630/http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049342.htm . 5 June 2009 .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Calamine".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.