User:Mr. Ibrahem/Calamine

Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication used to treat mild itchiness. This includes from sunburn, insect bites, poison ivy, poison oak, or other mild skin conditions. It may also help dry out 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.

Calamine lotion has been used as far back 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. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$0.25–3.85 per 100-ml bottle. In the United Kingdom, it costs the National Health Service about £0.44.