What is calamine ointment? – Green positive pharmacy magazine

Calamine is one of the non-prescription and often uncomplicated drugs that has effective and beneficial general uses in various cases of skin irritations, relief of all types of itching, pain and discomfort caused by minor skin irritations, sunburns, pain and inflammation caused by insect bites, and many other cases. has another Considering the wide range of effects of this drug, we are trying to provide explanations about calamine and its characteristics in this article.

Pharmaceutical forms of calamine

Calamine contains active substances that are absorbed and activated through the skin. For this reason, this drug is generally produced for local use (in the form of ointment, cream, gel and lotion). The table below presents the pharmaceutical forms of calamine:

Pharmaceutical form	dose
lotion	5% (60 mg)
lotion	8% (30 mg)
cream	8% (60 mg)
gel	8% (60 mg)

Uses of calamine ointment

The main advantage of calamine cream is that it can relieve itching and inflammation caused by skin irritations. In many cases, our skin gets irritated, itchy and burning due to contact with poisonous plants or insect bites and even contact with materials such as glass wool. In such cases, calamine can effectively relieve itching and inflammation. In addition, if rashes or exudations come out of the skin as a result of such irritations, calamine can dry them and heal them. In cases where the skin gets sunburned, calamine can be used to relieve the burning sensation. Specifically, calamine is used in the following conditions:

insect bites:

Calamine is effective for reducing pain and inflammation caused by the bites of various insects such as mosquitoes, bees, scabies, etc.

Chicken pox:

Chicken pox is an infectious disease in which painful rashes appear on all parts of the skin. Calamine can be very effective in reducing skin infection and drying up rashes and the pain caused by them.

Shingles:

Shingles is also a type of viral disease that causes severe and very painful inflammations and rashes all over the affected person’s skin. Calamine, along with antiviral drugs, can partially reduce the symptoms and pain and drying of lesions and skin rashes caused by this disease.

Aquatic parasite bites:

In some cases, swimmers are bitten by microscopic organisms in rivers or seas. In these cases, the bite site becomes very itchy and red. Calamine can be very effective and soothing in such bites.

Heat rash:

Often, in the summer, small pimples appear on the skin of some people, especially in the armpits or around the neck, which sweat more, and sometimes they become infected due to the closing of the skin pores. This type of rash is called thermal rash. Calamine in these cases helps to improve pimples and relieves the irritation caused by them.

Scabies: Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the bite of a small tick. This type of tick, which is very small, actually enters the human skin to lay eggs. Calamine, along with other scabies medications, can help heal the skin rash caused by scabies.

Chigger bite:

A chigger is a red mite that feeds on human skin. Their bites can cause skin irritation and itching. Calamine can be used to relieve the itching of chiggers.

Acne:

It is a type of chronic skin disease that often occurs during adolescence and causes skin inflammations or pimples on the back, upper arms, face, and upper chest. Although the use of calamine lotion does not lead to the treatment of acne, it can help to dry the rashes of these pimples to some extent.

hives:

Sometimes we may get hives for various reasons. Hives is a type of severe skin irritation that is accompanied by severe itching and inflammation. Using calamine in such cases relieves inflammation and itching.

Pharmacological effects and mechanism of action of Calamine ointment

According to Martindel’s classification, calamine belongs to skin medicines and sunscreens. Zinc oxide and ferric oxide present in calamine, while having an astringent effect on the skin, also help to relieve and heal the damaged skin. The absorption of the active ingredients of this drug begins approximately 3-5 minutes after use.

Dosage of Calamine

The dosage of different medicinal forms is as follows:

lotion:

The use of lotions is recommended when the area to be used is wide. Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter anti-itch medication that you should only use on your skin (topically). Before using calamine lotion, shake the bottle well. Pour some of the lotion on a piece of cotton or soft cloth. Then, apply the medicine to the affected area of ​​your skin. Let the lotion dry on your skin. Repeat this process as often as necessary. A specific amount for the use of this medicine has not been determined, but it can be used 3 to 4 times a day.

If the lotion is used on an area of ​​the skin that is under clothes, make sure not to wear clothes until the lotion is completely absorbed. If the use of calamine does not improve your skin condition within a week, stop using it. If the lotion gets on any of the areas around the eyes or mouth or anus, wash it off immediately with water. If the medicine is swallowed, call a poison control center as soon as possible.

Ointment:

Ointment, unlike lotion, is suitable for smaller areas of the skin. Regarding the use of ointment, it is sufficient to apply a sufficient amount of ointment on the affected area of ​​the skin and allow it to be well absorbed.

Dosage:

The dosage of this medicine will be different for different patients. Obviously, the exact dosage will be prescribed by the doctor. In general, the amount of medicine you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medication will depend on the type of skin condition or problem you have.

Time to use Calamine cream

There is no specific prescription regarding the best time to take this medicine, and depending on the type of complication, it is decided when is the most appropriate time. But in general and to increase the absorption effect of the drug, it is better to use it after taking a bath. In cases where the number of uses during a day is high, it is better to wash the desired area gently with soap and water and dry completely before each use.

caution

• Before using Calamine, if you are allergic to any medicine or other substance such as colors, smells, food, animals, etc., be sure to discuss the issue with your doctor.
• Although no reports of side effects have been recorded regarding calamine, however, whenever you have to use calamine on children, be sure to take the side of caution and consult a doctor. If you do not have access to a doctor, first apply calamine on a small area of ​​the children’s skin and wait until its possible side effects are determined. If no specific side effects appear, then you can safely use it.
• In the case of the elderly, no information has been reported on the medicinal reactions of calamine. It is expected that old age has no effect on the quality and side effects of this medicine, however, regarding this age group, it is better to consult a doctor before using calamine, or do a small test on a limited skin area first. take

Contraindications to calamine ointment

Calamine is only for external use on the skin. Therefore, it should never be used on the eyes or mucous membranes such as the inside of the mouth, nose, genitals, or anus.

Calamine ointment side effects

Most people who use calamine have no side effects. If any skin irritation occurs, stop using the medication and contact your doctor or healthcare provider. In general, a very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare, but if you experience any signs or allergic reactions, see your doctor right away. These symptoms may include:

• urticaria
• itching
• Hives and swelling, especially in the face, mouth, tongue and throat
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Redness and swelling of the skin
• Blistering or scaling of the applied area
• severe dizziness
• Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing
• wheezing
• hoarseness
• Fever

• In some medicinal forms, propylene glycol has been used, and in rare cases, its local absorption can cause seizures, kidney failure, or suppression of the nervous system.

Calamine drug interactions

Drug interactions mainly occur in 3 axes:

1. between two or more drugs
2. Between medicine and food
3. Between medicine and disease

In relation to calamine, no drug interactions have been reported in any of the above 3 areas. However, if there is any interference, its symptoms will certainly appear in different forms. Therefore, if drug users encounter side effects such as those mentioned in the previous paragraph, and the skin condition does not improve and worsens, there is a high probability that there is an interaction, in which case you should stop taking the drug and consult your doctor. do

Calamine consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of calamine during pregnancy is safe, and by the way, it can reduce bile salts to some extent and relieve itching. But it is important to note that lactating women should not use calamine on the nipple or the area around it. Because in this case, the infant will be contaminated by calamine and related complications from the oral area. Despite the fact that this drug is safe for different age and gender groups, it is better for pregnant and lactating women to consult their doctor before taking calamine.

Calamine cream storage conditions

Considering that containers containing calamine (in the form of ointment or lotion) do not have much protective power against children, so be careful to always store such medicines in closed containers and out of the reach of children. The medicine should be stored at room temperature and away from heat, humidity and direct light and protected from freezing.

Calamine compounds

Calamine ointment and lotion contain two types of active ingredients, zinc oxide and iron oxide. Zinc oxide clearly has antiseptic and mild astringent effects, it also has anti-itch properties and soothes and protects the skin. Iron oxide, while having relative anti-itching properties, gives calamine lotion a distinctive pink color. The inactive ingredients of calamine lotion are:

• Bentonite: (it is a type of mineral clay that has high absorption power and in pharmaceuticals, it causes the absorption of effective substances and their gradual release in the used areas)
• Sodium Citrate: (this substance prevents the environment from becoming acidic)
• Glycerol: (or glycerin softens the skin tissue)
• Phenol: (Phenol or hydroxybenzene or benzene is a type of alcohol that disinfects the environment)
• Pure water (as a solution for combining ingredients used in drug formulation)

last word

As stated in this article from Positive Green Pharmacy magazine, Calamine is one of the safe and almost side-effect-free drugs that is used in a wide range of irritations, rashes, inflammations, superficial sunburns and skin itches. This medicine is used depending on the amount and severity of the skin condition. The only important thing to keep in mind regarding this medicine is that it should be avoided in the eye area and its surroundings, nipples and its surroundings (for lactating women), nose and mouth mucosa, and anus and penis or vagina. Refused.

In addition, this medicine is not oral and can cause poisoning if it enters the stomach. Due to its good effectiveness in controlling various skin irritations, insect bites and sunburns, calamine is one of the medicines that should always be kept with us at home.

Source: site Medscape