Soothes sunburn & other minor skin conditions
Calamine Lotion is known as mild astringent and antiseptic. Calamine Lotion contains two active ingredients called calamine and zinc oxide and they work together to both provide an antiseptic effect to prevent infection at the same time as cooling and soothing the skin that is irritated. Once applied to the skin, Calamine Lotion evaporates and produces a cooling effect that helps distract you from the annoying itch that you may be experiencing. There can be many different Calamine Lotion uses, including conditions that cause itchy skin including:
- Reactions to poisonous planets, such as poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac
- Insect bites
- Chickenpox
- Shingles
- Swimmers itch
- Scabies
- Chigger bites
- Minor burns
Please see below information when using calamine lotion for certain issues:
Acne: If you intend to use Calamine Lotion for acne it has been shown to provide some benefits in treating acne. It doesn’t however, treat any of the underlying causes of acne and can’t prevent future breakouts from happening. Calamine lotion can also be used as a spot treatment. The excess oil produced can be dried out by the drying properties of Calamine. We currently don’t recommend using Calamine Lotion for acne as it can cause the acne to be overly dry and cause further irritation and could make the acne even worse.
Chicken Pox: Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and is very contagious. It causes itchy skin and a blistered like rash. The rash first appears on the chest, back, and face but can spread across you whole body causing up to 500 small blisters. You can use Calamine Lotion for Chicken Pox when itching and irritation of the skin are symptoms but you should remember that using Calamine Lotion For Chicken Pox will not cure the virus that’s causing it in the first place. There are other things you can do to help at home that may help the recovery process of chicken pox, this includes:
- Drink plenty of clear fluids
- Taking pain relief such as paracetamol
- Putting socks on your child's hands at night to stop them scratching
- Using an antihistamine medicine such as Phenergan to help itching
- Bathing in cool water and patting the skin dry
You should remember to not use ibuprofen if you or your child is suffering from chickenpox, as this can cause skin infections.
Shingles: You can use Calamine Lotion for shingles with the smooth, cool, and soothing Calamine balm. It’s typically used to treat the skin irritation that occurs due to shingles but will not cure the underlying cause. Antiviral medicines are usually prescribed by a GP to help shorten the length and prevent it from becoming severe. Using pain relief tablets such as ibuprofen during a shingles outbreak should be avoided due to the increased risk of a skin infection. If you’re unsure about using Calamine Lotion for shingles please speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using it. They may be able to provide further information and alternative treatments.
Eczema: Eczema or atopic eczema is the most common form of eczema, which causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked. Using Calamine lotion for eczema can help ease the itch, but you should be mindful of the inevitable drying out effects that it can have on the skin, especially in continued use. Moisturisers such as Diprobase or E45 Cream can help keep the skin moist and smooth. Calamine Lotion for eczema should only be used as a symptom reliever rather than a cure. Speak to your doctor if you think you’re suffering from eczema. You can identify if you’re suffering from Eczema if you have:
- Itchy, dry, cracked or sore skin
- Small white patches of dry skin
- Widespread skin inflammation
- Change in skin colour
Heat Rash: One of the many different questions we see online relating to Calamine lotion is “Can you use Calamine lotion for heat rash?” Heat rash is common in hot climates and can be uncomfortable, but is usually harmless. After a few days it should start to get better on its own. Heat rash can be identified via:
- Small, raised spots
- An itchy, prickly feeling
- Mild swelling
The rash isn’t transmissible and can appear anywhere and spread anywhere on the body. Calamine lotion for heat rash is intended to only reduce and soothe the itchiness caused by heat rash. It will not clear the rash, which will most likely happen by itself. As well as using Calamine Lotion for heat rash there are other things you can do to help speed up recovery, including:
- Avoiding dehydration
- Wear loose clothing
- Use cool water when showering
- Use lightweight bedding
Sunburn: Using Calamine Lotion for Sunburn can be helpful in many ways, it can relieved the itching and peeling of the skin while providing a cooling sensation as it is applied to the skin and left to dry. If you are using Calamine Lotion for Sunburn, you should remember to visit your doctor if your sunburn is severe, blisters or covers a large part of your body.
For Babies: In order to use Calamine lotion for babies safely you should first contact your health visitor for advice. It’s generally safe to use Calamine lotion for babies, but your health adviser may be able to recommend an alternative medication upon inspection for your child’s condition. Some babies, especially those with already existing skin conditions, have skin that’s too sensitive for lotions, including Calamine lotion for babies.
Ingredients
Active: calamine 15% w/v, zinc oxide 5%w/v. Also contains: bentonite (E558), sodium citrate, glycerol (E422), phenol and purified water
Directions
Shake before use. Apply with a cotton pad to the affect area as required. For external use only. Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Check with your doctor before use if:
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- if you are having an x-ray as this product may mask the image
Side Effects
Most people will not have problems, but some may get some of these:
- Skin rash, red or itchy skin (allergic reaction)
- Skin irritation
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed on this label. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Store in a cool, dry place and keep out of reach of children
