Calamine

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For the mineral, see calamine (mineral), for other uses of the word, see calamine (disambiguation).

Calamine is a mixture of zinc oxide (ZnO) with about 0.5% iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). It is the main ingredient in calamine lotion and is used as an antipruritic (anti-itching agent) to treat mild pruritic conditions such as sunburn, eczema, rashes, poison ivy, chickenpox, insect bites and stings.[1][2][3][4][5][6]It is also used as a mild antiseptic to prevent infections that can be caused by scratching the affected area, and an astringent to dry weeping or oozing blisters and acne abscesses.[7]

In 1992 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asserted that there was no proof the main ingredients in calamine (zinc oxide and ferric oxide) had any real therapeutic effect on rashes and itching.[8]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Calamine
  2. ^ Calamine
  3. ^ The South African Medicines Formulary: ANTIPRURITICS AND TOPICAL ANAESTHETICS
  4. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=iOiFFCn06xEC&pg=PA200&dq=%22calamine+lotion%22&sig=yP8zHYNd7P86aTpzOqq9HQSR-Do#PPP1,M1
  5. ^ MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Poison ivy - oak - sumac rash
  6. ^ MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Hives
  7. ^ Soothing Remedies for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak
  8. ^ Arthur Higbee (1992-09-09). An Outdated Notion, That Calamine Lotion. International Herald Tribune. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.

[edit] External links

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