Key takeaways:
Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter (OTC) product that can help relieve itching, redness, and inflammation in many skin conditions.
People typically use calamine lotion for skin conditions, such as poison ivy rashes and insect bites.
Calamine lotion is generally safe, but may cause skin irritation and dryness in some people.
Spring is in full swing across the U.S. — and that means barbecue gatherings, beach vacations, and hiking adventures. But while warmer weather brings these wonderful memories with family and friends, it can also bring insect bites, sunburn, and poison ivy rashes.
Thankfully, a bubblegum-colored liquid called calamine may help. You might remember this over-the-counter (OTC) lotion from your childhood, but you may not know all the ways it can be used. Below, we’ll cover what calamine lotion is used for and what side effects to look out for.
What is calamine lotion?
Calamine lotion is a combination of zinc oxide and iron (ferric) oxide. Zinc oxide works as a skin protectant and soothing agent, and ferric oxide gives calamine lotion its famous pink color.
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Calamine products may also contain different non-active ingredients depending on what calamine product you’re using. These non-active ingredients may include ingredients like glycerin, purified water, and calcium hydroxide.
This OTC product is easy to find in grocery stores and drugstores across the U.S.
What can I use calamine lotion for?
Calamine lotion can be used for multiple skin conditions to help relieve itchiness, redness, and inflammation. In some skin conditions where your rash might be oozing liquid, calamine can help dry out your skin.
Different calamine products have unique instructions on how to use them, so always follow the instructions on your specific calamine product. In general, you’ll want to shake the lotion first before applying it to the affected area. You can apply the lotion with a cotton pad. Allow it to fully dry on your skin.
Below, we’ll discuss common conditions that calamine lotion can be used for.
Poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac rashes
Poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac plants contain an oil that may cause a rash when it touches your skin. This oil — called urushiol — will cause a rash in up to 90% of adults who come into contact with it.
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Rashes caused by these poisonous plants may appear as red bumps or blisters. Over time, blisters can fill with fluid and begin to swell. Calamine works by drying out the oozing blisters, and it can relieve itchiness and redness.
Insect bites
Calamine lotion can help relieve discomfort from insect bites, such as mosquito bites. Mosquito bites can cause redness, itching, and swelling due to a chemical in the female mosquito’s saliva.
Although the bites are often itchy, it’s important to not scratch. Scratching can make the bite become infected. An anti-itch lotion, like calamine, can lower the urge to itch and prevent bug bites from becoming more irritated.
Acne
Acne is the most common skin condition in the U.S. It affects up to 50 million Americans. It’s especially common in teens and young adults, as up to 85% of people in this age group experience acne at some point.
When your pores (tiny openings in the skin) become clogged, acne can appear. Acne may appear as red, inflamed bumps. It can cause permanent scarring if it doesn’t go away on its own or isn’t treated.
The anti-inflammatory properties of zinc in calamine lotion may improve the redness of acne. And, it may lower oil production in the skin, and in turn curbing the development of acne. It also works as an antiseptic (disinfectant), which helps clean the skin and get rid of bacteria.
Still, your dermatologist probably won’t recommend calamine lotion as a first-choice for acne. Studies show mixed results when zinc is used to treat acne. Luckily, there are many other medications that are known to work.
Talk to your dermatologist before trying calamine lotion for acne. They’ll likely suggest another product that might work better for your skin.
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV). It’s characterized by a rash that turns into blisters. These blisters can become extremely itchy and spread all over the body. As they start to heal, they become scabs.
Calamine lotion doesn’t treat chickenpox, but it may help relieve one of the most bothersome symptoms: itching. Like chickenpox, shingles is also caused by VZV, so calamine lotion can relieve itchiness in this condition as well.
Heat rash (Miliaria)
When your body gets hot, it’s natural response is to sweat. But a combination of heat, humidity, and sweat can cause your sweat ducts to become blocked. This can irritate the skin and cause a heat rash.
Heat rashes usually appear in places like the neck, upper chest, and inside of the elbows. They look like red, inflamed pimples. They typically resolve on their own but if your rash is itchy and you need some relief, calamine lotion may help.
Pityriasis Rosea (Christmas Tree Rash)
Pityriasis rosea is a common rash that often occurs in childhood. It can make your skin look red and scaly. If you get the rash on your back, it may be shaped like a Christmas tree. We don’t know why this rash occurs, but it may be due to medications, viruses, or various germs.
People with this rash may experience itching. Even though the rash usually resolves on its own, calamine lotion can provide some relief in the meantime.
Swimmer’s itch
Are you a fan of swimming? If so, you might have experienced swimmer’s itch. This can occur when you have an allergic reaction to parasites found in freshwater and saltwater. If these parasites touch your skin, you might develop red bumps or blisters. The rash may itch, or you might feel like your skin is tingling.
You likely won’t have to see a healthcare provider for most cases of swimmer’s itch. But to prevent the rash from getting infected, you’ll want to avoid scratching it. Calamine lotion can provide relief here, too.
Sunburn
When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, you may get sunburned. Your skin may become red, hot, and painful. Calamine products can help soothe your skin thanks to their cooling and soothing properties.
And, the zinc oxide in calamine lotion can help prevent sunburn, too. Zinc oxide blocks UV rays, providing protection from the sun. It’s an ingredient in many sunscreens. Visit this previous GoodRx article to see if calamine is the best sunscreen for your skin type.
What are the risks of calamine lotion?
Calamine lotion has few side effects when people use it as directed. However, it can sometimes cause dry skin and irritation. If you experience irritation or excessively dry skin from calamine lotion, you should stop using it.
Calamine lotion is only made to be used externally. It's important to avoid swallowing it. You should also avoid your nose, eyes, and genital areas. If you’re using calamine lotion for more than 7 days with no improvement, talk to your healthcare provider. You may need a different product to treat your skin condition.
Can children use calamine lotion?
Calamine lotion can be used safely in children who are at least 2 years old. If you have calamine lotion in your house, keep the bottle in a place your children can’t reach. The pink color may look like candy or something fun to play with.
If your child accidentally ingests calamine lotion, call the national poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or your local poison control center.
The bottom line
Calamine lotion is an OTC treatment option that can help relieve your skin of mild itching, inflammation, or redness. It can be used to relieve a variety of skin conditions, like poison ivy rashes, insect bites, and swimmer’s itch.
The main ingredients in calamine products are zinc oxide and ferric oxide. Every calamine product has its own instructions, so be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. Calamine is generally safe when used correctly, but it may cause skin irritation or dryness in some people. If this happens, stop using your calamine product and talk to your healthcare provider.
References
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American Academy of Dermatology Association. (n.d.). Skin conditions by the numbers.
American Family Physician. (2018). Pityriasis rosea.
Bae, Y. S., et al. (2010). Innovative uses for zinc in dermatology. Dermatologic Clinics.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Heat stress - Heat-related illness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Poisonous plants: Symptoms and first aid.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Poisonous plants: Types of exposure.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Transmission.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Treating shingles.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Mosquito bite symptoms and treatment.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Swimmer's itch FAQs.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). About chickenpox.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Prevention and treatment.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Signs and symptoms.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (n.d.). Calamine lotion.
Cochran, R. J., et al. (1985). Topical zinc therapy for acne vulgaris. International Journal of Dermatology.
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Gupta, M., et al. (2014). Zinc therapy in dermatology: A review. Dermatology Research and Practice.
Joy, N. (2022). Calamine lotion. Journal of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
Kaiser Permanente. (2021). Calamine lotion.
National Capital Poison Center. (n.d.). Get poison control help.
St. Louis Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Healing heat rash.
Thorton & Ross Ltd. (2016). Calamine lotion BP. Electronic Medicines Compendium.
Tufts Medical Center Community Care. (n.d.). Poison ivy, sumac, and oak.
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