calamine + zinc oxide at a glance
Medicine class
Topical skin protectant and mild astringent
Usual role
Symptom relief for mild sunburn and minor skin conditions
How it is used
Applied externally to affected skin; shake lotion before use
X-ray warning
Remove or avoid aqueous calamine cream before an X-ray because zinc oxide can obscure the image
What is calamine + zinc oxide used for?
These products provide symptom relief rather than treating an underlying infection or inflammatory disease.
Relief of mild sunburn symptoms.
Relief of symptoms from other minor skin conditions.
Calamine lotion may soothe itching from chickenpox or heat rash, but this is outside the selected products’ licensed indications and does not treat the cause.
How does calamine + zinc oxide work?
Calamine and zinc oxide have mild astringent effects and form a soothing, protective layer on the skin. Zinc oxide also has mild antiseptic properties.
How to take calamine + zinc oxide
For external use only. Apply to clean, dry affected skin. Shake lotion before use and dab it on gently with cotton wool; spread cream gently onto the skin. Keep containers closed and away from children.
Do not swallow.
Do not use aqueous calamine cream immediately before an X-ray.
Keep clothing, bedding and dressings contaminated with the cream away from smoking materials and naked flames.
calamine + zinc oxide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Occasional local irritation or hypersensitivity can occur; no common adverse effects are established in the selected product information.
Get urgent medical advice
- Stop use and seek urgent assessment for breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat.
calamine + zinc oxide in pregnancy
Direct evidence is limited. The lotion has a long history of use without apparent harmful effects, and adverse effects from the cream are considered unlikely. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber if extensive use is being considered or the skin condition is uncertain.
calamine + zinc oxide while breastfeeding
Direct evidence is limited, although adverse effects are considered unlikely. Seek professional advice before applying it to the breast or where an infant could directly contact treated skin.
calamine + zinc oxide interactions
No specific medicine interaction is identified in the selected product information, but zinc oxide can interfere with diagnostic imaging.
Diagnostic X-ray imaging
Zinc oxide may appear on or obscure an X-ray, so aqueous calamine cream should not be present on the skin before examination.
Common questions about calamine + zinc oxide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can children use calamine + zinc oxide?
The selected cream and lotion are suitable for adults, older people and children, subject to their labels and excipient sensitivities.
What is the difference between cream and lotion?
The lotion is a shake-before-use suspension. The cream has a paraffin-containing base and carries a fabric fire-hazard warning.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.