Calamine and Zinc Oxide Lotion was created over 20 years ago. It was first released in Israel in 1997. Initially, this remedy was used to treat chickenpox rashes in children. Subsequently, its other beneficial properties were discovered and studied. Nowadays, calamine lotion has become a popular skin care product. After all, it has a diverse effect and can save us from many skin problems. We will tell you about the benefits of the lotion and give some tips for its use.
What does the lotion contain?
Calamine is a naturally occurring substance that occurs in nature as a mineral. Calamine powder is used to make lotion.
Calamine is considered a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient. This substance has the following effects on the skin:
- soothing;
- antipruritic;
- anti-inflammatory;
- protective;
- wound healing;
- cooling;
- drying;
- antibacterial.
In addition to calamine, the lotion contains zinc oxide. This substance has long been used in cosmetology and pharmacology. It disinfects the skin and protects it from harmful influences. Zinc oxide is included in many facial skin care products.
The lotion also contains additional ingredients:
- white medical clay (kaolin);
- glycerol;
- phenol;
- sodium citrate.
All these substances also have a healing effect on the skin.
Calamine lotion does not contain alcohol or allergens. This harmless and natural product does not irritate the skin and does not cause unpleasant side effects.
Next, we will tell you about the use of lotion for various skin problems.
Indications for use
Using Calamine can quickly reduce the symptoms of diseases such as:
- Eczema;
- Psoriasis;
- Itching on the epidermis;
- chicken pox;
- Inflamed insect bites;
- Burns;
- Lichen lesions;
- Dermatitis;
- Herpes;
- Pimples and blackheads.
In addition to all the above diseases, Calamine as a lotion is very often used to reduce allergic manifestations, eliminate swelling of the skin and block further formation of a rash.
For oily skin
Calamine dries out oily skin and prevents acne. It will also help clear up existing acne and acne scars. The method of using the lotion is quite simple:
- Before going to bed, wash your face and pat dry with a towel.
- Then apply a little lotion to the skin and spread it over the entire surface.
- Leave the mixture on your face overnight.
This product will help you restore the beauty of your facial skin after just a few applications.
Precautionary measures
The use of the drug requires special precautions, which include:
- If it comes into contact with mucous membranes, it can cause an allergic reaction, so if this type of situation occurs, it is necessary to rinse the mucous membranes with clean water;
- Avoid getting the substance inside the body, it can cause poisoning;
- Improper use of Calamine can cause allergies in the form of red spots or pimples. If such symptoms occur, it is recommended to stop treatment.
It is forbidden to use the drug after the expiration date; side effects may occur in large quantities
.
Relieving itching
If you are bothered by itchy skin, then the lotion will quickly relieve you of discomfort. Calamine has cooling properties and effectively relieves skin irritation. Apply the product to a cotton swab and wipe the affected area. Within a few minutes the itching will significantly decrease.
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Contraindications
The use of Calamine is contraindicated for the following situations:
- Individual sensitivity to the constituent components;
- Open wounds;
- Near mucous membranes, near the eyes, nose and oral cavity;
There are no other prohibitions on the use of Calamine; if after a week’s course of treatment a positive result is not observed, you should stop treatment and consult your doctor for further advice.
Sun protection
Calamine lotion can be used as a sunscreen. Before sunbathing, apply lotion to your face. This will protect your skin from UV rays and help you avoid getting sunburned.
If you have already received a sunburn, treat the affected area with lotion. This will help reduce pain and redness and prevent blistering. If you repeat this treatment daily, the burned skin will quickly heal and recover.
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Analogs
Calamine rarely causes side effects and is used for treatment from the first days of life, however, if a person is hypersensitive to the components of the drug, drugs with a similar effect on the problem can be prescribed.
The most commonly used analogues are:
- Tsindol is a substance that contains zinc and has the property of disinfecting and removing inflammatory formations from the epidermis. Used to treat various types of skin diseases. It has the ability to form a protective film and eliminate the influence of external factors on the damaged area. Used from the age of 6 months. Cost 70 rubles ;
- Zinc ointment - the drug is dispensed without the need for a prescription. Prescribed to eliminate skin lesions from the first days of life. The substance has virtually no side effects and helps restore the natural processes of epidermal cell restoration. Cost 40 rubles ;
- Fukortsin is an alcohol-based drug. Used for an antiseptic effect on the problem area. Eliminates various types of infection, dries out papules. Can be used to treat fungal infections. Prescribed for the treatment of diseases with the presence of purulent formation. Not used up to 5 years and during pregnancy. Price 90 rubles ;
- PoxClean - most often prescribed for the treatment of chickenpox, has a drying and antibacterial effect on blisters. Special active ingredients promote rapid healing of ulcers after the blisters have broken down. The active components are of plant origin, and after the first use they eliminate unpleasant symptoms. After application, it forms a film, due to which the shelf life of the substance is greatly increased without the need for re-application. Can be used from the age of 1 year. Cost 900 rubles .
Tsindol
Zinc ointment
Fukortsin
PoxClean
It is also possible to use drugs such as Kalmosan ointment and Cikabio, however, difficulties may arise in purchasing these products, since they can rarely be found in stock at pharmacy kiosks. The average cost is 300 rubles .
The use of similar drugs is carried out strictly as prescribed by the attending physician. Before using any drug, you must study the instructions in detail and conduct an individual sensitivity test.
Fighting acne
Calamine based lotion will help eliminate acne. With this product you can cleanse your facial skin at home. In this case, you must follow the following sequence of actions:
- Clean your face of makeup and wash your face.
- Steam your face over hot water for 15 minutes.
- Pat your face dry with a clean napkin.
- As soon as the acne begins to release contents, treat the skin with wood (tung) oil. Let the composition absorb.
- Apply lotion to your face and keep it on for 3 - 4 hours. Then wash well with warm water.
Doctors' opinion
Dermatologists, infectious disease specialists, and pediatricians have different views on Calamine. Almost no one rejects lotions and creams as a means of relieving the symptoms of chickenpox. But many express the opinion that less expensive medicines with zinc (Tsindol, Zinc paste) are not inferior to Calamine in terms of effectiveness.
Other experts believe that lotion and cream are effective only for mild rashes, small, slightly inflamed vesicles distributed over a small area of the body. And these drugs help mainly young children. And for adult patients with chickenpox, Calamine is too weak a remedy due to its low concentration.
Skin diseases and rashes
Calamine lotion was originally created to treat chickenpox rashes. This remedy eliminates itching and prevents infection of the blisters. It can also be used for other diseases that cause rashes, such as eczema and psoriasis.
However, before using the lotion for serious skin diseases, you should consult a dermatologist. After all, this remedy does not eliminate the cause of the disease, but only prevents scratching and infection in the wounds. It can only be used as part of complex treatment.
Rules of application
To achieve a more visible result, you should carefully read the instructions for use.
And also perform the following algorithm of actions:
- It is recommended to treat the area with skin lesions with soapy water and blot with a towel;
- Shake the bottle with the drug and unscrew the cap;
- Soak a cotton swab in the liquid and spread evenly over the skin;
- Leave until completely dry;
- The treatment procedure is carried out 3 times a day, the duration of use is until all unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Calamine cream is rarely used, and most often for diseases such as lichen or eczema, but its effectiveness is in no way inferior to lotion.
Application method:
- Cleanse the skin of cosmetics and other types of contaminants;
- Using a cotton swab, apply the cream directly to each papule on the skin. If the affected area is large, apply the cream in a thick layer over the entire area of skin;
- Leave until completely absorbed;
- The cream is applied three times a day until the unpleasant symptoms disappear completely.
With chickenpox
Application for chickenpox infection:
- Shake the bottle of lotion and apply to a cotton pad or cotton ball;
- Gently, without damaging the papules, wipe the skin with lotion;
- It is recommended to change the cotton pad after treating each area of the body to reduce the increase in infection;
- Apply lotion 4-5 times a day until the disease disappears completely.
The cream is applied pointwise to each papule and left to absorb. This is why the use of cream is considered less convenient in the treatment of chickenpox.
It is prohibited to comb or squeeze out formations on the skin during treatment.
Most often, the drug quickly has a positive effect, and after a short time the person feels relief and a reduction in unpleasant symptoms.
Prescription during pregnancy
Calamine has no prohibitions on use during pregnancy and childbearing.
However, in this case, the woman must observe the following features of using Calamine:
- Before use, consult a specialist:
- Be sure to conduct a sensitivity test;
- The drug is applied to the skin in a reduced dosage no more than once a day;
- The duration of treatment should not exceed 10 days;
- The drug is used in the event of acute skin diseases to reduce unpleasant symptoms and prevent the spread of infection.
Experts do not recommend using the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary, since it contains a substance called phenol, which penetrates the body and can negatively affect the condition of the child.
Use in childhood
The drug Calamine is prescribed from the age of 6 months to treat the following problems:
- Chickenpox;
- Insect bites;
- Rubella;
- Dermatitis;
- Sunburn;
- Allergic reactions that manifest as severe skin rash;
- Scratches and cuts to prevent infection.
To use, follow these steps:
- Consult a pediatrician;
- Conduct a test for the individual reaction of the body;
- Apply the substance twice to the affected area of the body;
- Duration of treatment is up to 14 days.
If a reaction occurs on the skin in the form of a rash and blisters, treatment should be stopped; such symptoms are very rare and tend to disappear on their own after a short time.
If Calamine cream is used, the substance should be applied in a thin layer or pointwise using a cotton swab.
