Healthinsider

• Calamine lotion

Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that is  use in the  treatment of  mild itchiness, also known as  pruritus. It can as well  help to dry out oozing skin irritations.

This soothing pink lotion can help in the  relieving of  the  next coming  or the following skin conditions:

Transformation or the way they react  to poisonous plants, such as poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac

• insect bites
• chickenpox
• shingles
• swimmer’s itch
• scabies
• chigger bites
• minor burns

Calamines and poisonous plants

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)  prescribe attaching  thematic OTC medications, such as calamine, to remedy  itching resulted  by poisonous plants  like  poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak.
According to the Mayo Clinic, in annexation to reducing the itching and discomfort caused as  a result of  these poisonous plants, calamine lotion can actually help to  dry out the weeping tears  and oozing or muding of those skin irritations.

Calamines and bug bites

To discourse mild reactions to bug bites and stings, Mayo Clinic determine applying calamine lotion to the area many times daily. This can be applied until symptoms of the bite or sting are no more to be found .
As mainstream to calamine lotion, you  can as well  use a baking soda paste or 0.5 to 1 percent hydrocortisone cream. If thermatic treatments  aren’t really  effective, think of taking an oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl.

Calamines and chickenpox,

It can help redress the symptoms of chickenpox and stop skin infections.

To help reduce the itching from chickenpox, the CDC recommends taking bath with a cool water and addition of baking  soda or colloidal oatmeal , and then massaging your  entire skin  with calamine lotion.

Calamine and shingles

Antiviral medications, such as acyclovir and famciclovir, can help lower the length and painfulness  of shingles. Together with these medications, the CDC recommend using calamine lotion and other self-care measures to assist  with the pain and itch, such as:

• wet compresses
• colloidal oatmeal baths
• pain relievers

Calamine and swimmer’s itch

If you walk  or swim in waters invades with certain parasites the possibility of  you having   a rash is very rest assured, called swimmer’s itch. According to NYC Health, you risk infection if you scratch. So, to help minimize the itch, they recommended:

• calamine lotion
• corticosteroid creams
• colloidal oatmeal baths

Calamine and scabies

To free itching from scabies, a skin condition caused as a result of   small mite, you may search relief by using calamine lotion and soaking in a cool water of bath. Have this in mind, calamine lotion will only treat the signs of scabies, it will not destroy the mites or their eggs.
If the itching is very serious or bad,   consult your doctor about taking an oral antihistamine.
Here comes   other very  necessary steps to take while treating scabies:

• Wash clothes, towels, and bedding in  with hot water.
• Dry the above washed items at 140°F or higher.
• Open carpets and upholstered furniture.

Calamine and chigger bites

Chiggers are mites that are feed on human flesh. They cause skin irritation, welts, and itching. If you you have the feeling that  you’ve been bitten by a chigger, wash the bite with soap and water and  after that then rub some calamine lotion to assist in the  relieving of itching.
Some other  ways to relieve itching can include cool compresses or OTC anti-itch cream.  Rubbing the skin with a hard material due to itching it’s causes or Scratching the bites may  lead to infection.

Calamine and minor burns

It might offer thematic relief for many skin irritations, including minor burns.

How to use calamine lotion

It is planned for external use only.Calamine lotion should not be:

• swallowed
• used on eyes
• used on mucus membranes, such as inside the nose, mouth, anal area, or genitals

You can use it on children, although  be careful to safely store it and keep away from reach of  children when not in use.
If  it happens that calamine lotion gets  in your eyes, mouth, or other non-approved areas, flush  with lots of water. If enters into your mouth or if swallowed, Rush to a poison control center.

Method  of  usage:

Before you can start using:

1. make sure you  shake  the bottle very well.
2. Wet  a cotton ball or alike applicator with the lotion.
3. Apply the  lotion to the affected skin area with the cotton ball or alike applicator.
4. Allow the lotion to dry on the skin.
5. Repeat as much as needed.

Side effects of calamine lotion

There are no much side effects .but very few adverse effects associated with it. Therefore, if you notice skin irritation, quit using it and speak with your doctor about a mainstream medication.

When to see a doctor

When using calamine lotion, meet  a doctor if:

1. The condition of your  skin becomes worse
2. If your symptoms last more than 7 days
3. If your symptoms clear up and  comes back after a few days

If you have a serious allergic reaction which is rare  such as hives and face swelling , tongue, or throat, seek immediately for  medical Assistant.
Contact a poison control center right immediately if you had  swallowed it.

What calamine lotion is made of

The main active ingredient in calamine lotion is a combination of zinc oxide and 0.5% iron (ferric) oxide. The iron oxide is the ingredients that gives it its identifying pink color.
Calamine lotion also typically contains inactive ingredients, like :

• purified water
• glycerin
• calcium hydroxide
• bentonite magma

Calamine lotion is available as an  over the counter, and the distribute name or  as a generic medication. It’s on the World Health Organization Model List of Essential MedicinesTrusted Source under anti-inflammatory and anti-itch medicine, along with:

• betamethasone
• hydrocortisone
• prednisolone

The takeaway

It is  generally  available as an OTC  thermatic medication that can be of  help  to relieve itching caused as a result of minor skin irritations. It can as well  help to  dry out oozing and weeping from transformation or reaction to poisonous plants, such as poison oak, poison ivy, or poison sumac.
Calamine lotion isn’t a proper  cure or it treatment , Rather  it can assist  relieve signs. It shall only be used externally and has very small  adverse effects.
If mistakenly  swallowed, call poison control center or visit a center  right away.