Calamine Lotion: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Calamine Lotion is an over-the-counter skin protectant containing zinc oxide and iron (ferric) oxide, along with glycerin and water. It is applied to the skin to soothe itching, pain, and irritation from conditions such as insect bites, chickenpox, and poison ivy. It is for use on the skin only and should never be swallowed.

What is Calamine Lotion

Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter pink lotion used on the skin to soothe itching, pain, and irritation. It contains zinc oxide and iron (ferric) oxide, along with other ingredients like glycerin and water. It is applied to the skin only and should never be swallowed.

Calamine Lotion uses

• Poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac rashes
• Itching and pain from insect bites or skin irritation
• Chickenpox itching
• Shingles symptom relief
• Swimmer's itch
• Heat rash (miliaria)
• Scabies itching (does not kill the mites)
• Chigger bites
• Acne (as a drying spot treatment, not a primary acne treatment)
• Hives
• Sunburn

Benefits of Calamine Lotion

• Relieves itching, pain, and discomfort from bug bites, chickenpox, and poison ivy
• Helps dry out oozing or weeping skin irritations
• Cools and soothes the skin as the water in the lotion evaporates
• Spreads easily over large areas of skin
• Zinc oxide can act as a physical sunscreen blocking UV light

How Calamine Lotion works

When the lotion is applied to skin, the watery part evaporates and pulls heat away from the body, which creates a cooling, soothing effect that reduces itching. The powder in the lotion also helps dry out wet, oozing skin.

Calamine Lotion dosage

Use only on the skin. Do not put it in your mouth, nose, or eyes, and keep it away from genital and anal areas because it may burn. Clean and dry the affected area before applying. Shake the lotion well before each use because the powder settles.

Apply a thin layer to the affected area using a cotton ball, cotton swab, or soft cloth, and let it dry on the skin. Reapply as needed; some people remove old, dried lotion residue before putting on a new layer. Do not apply to open wounds.

Children age 2 and older can use calamine lotion, but an adult should supervise use; ask a child's healthcare provider before using it in children younger than 2. If taken by mouth, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away.

Available forms and strengths

• Lotion

Side effects of Calamine Lotion

Common

• Skin irritation
• Dryness of the skin

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
• Wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat
• Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
• Unusual hoarseness
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Severe dizziness

Warnings and precautions

• Calamine lotion is generally considered safe during pregnancy based on long-standing use, though there isn't much formal research data. 
• However, versions containing phenol should be avoided during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before use if you are pregnant.
• Calamine lotion is generally considered safe while breastfeeding, though there isn't much formal research data confirming this. Talk to your doctor before use if you are breastfeeding.
• Apply only to the affected skin area as directed. Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, and other sensitive areas.
• Do not apply on deep wounds, severe burns, or infected skin unless advised by a doctor. Shake the bottle well before use to mix the ingredients properly.
• Stop use if irritation, redness, swelling, or allergic reactions occur. Do not use on large areas of skin for long periods without medical advice.
• Avoid inhaling the lotion during application, especially near the face. Inform your doctor if skin symptoms worsen or do not improve.
• Do not swallow calamine lotion. It is for use on the skin only and can be dangerous if taken by mouth.
• Avoid getting the lotion near your eyes, nose, mouth, or genital and anal areas. If it gets into these areas, rinse right away with water.
• Do not use calamine lotion on open wounds.
• Be careful with modified calamine lotion products that contain added ingredients like resorcinol, tars, anthralin, phenolic substances, or benzocaine, especially when used over large areas of the body, near body openings, or in children.
• In infants, products containing resorcinol should not be applied to more than a quarter of the body surface.

Storage

• Store at room temperature.
• Store below 30°C.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place, out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired medicine; do not flush it down a toilet or pour it down a drain unless instructed to do so.
• Check with your pharmacist about drug take-back programs in your area for safe disposal.
• Store away from foodstuffs.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help or contact a poison control center right away if the lotion is swallowed.
• Get medical help right away if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, itching, swollen or blistered skin, wheezing, chest or throat tightness, trouble breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop using the lotion and call your healthcare provider if your skin condition gets worse, doesn't improve within a week, or clears up but comes back after a few days.

Alternatives

• Zinc Oxide Cream
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Colloidal Oatmeal Lotion