Calamine

Calamine
	A puddle of calamine lotion next to a pink plastic bottle
Combination of
zinc oxide	astringent
ferric oxide	antipruritic
Clinical data
Pronunciation	KAL-ə-mine
Other names	Calamine lotion
License data	US DailyMed: Calamine;
Routes of; administration	Topical
ATC code	D02AB (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	US: OTC;
Identifiers
CAS Number	8011-96-9;
PubChem CID	23083748;
ChemSpider	16112062;
KEGG	D03284;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL3989426;
Chemical and physical data
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
	SMILES [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Fe+3].[Fe+3].[Zn+2];
	InChI InChI=1S/2Fe.4O.Zn/q2+3;4-2;+2; Key:CPYIZQLXMGRKSW-UHFFFAOYSA-N;

Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication made from powdered calamine mineral that is used to treat mild itchiness. Conditions treated include sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, and other mild skin conditions. It may also help dry out secretions resulting from skin irritation. It is applied on the skin as a cream or lotion.

Side effects may include skin irritation. It is considered to be safe in pregnancy. Calamine is a combination of zinc oxide and 0.5% ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃). The lotion is produced with additional ingredients such as phenol and calcium hydroxide.

The use of calamine lotion dates back as far as 1500 BC. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Calamine is available over-the-counter as a generic medication.