calamine

**Calamine** is a topical over-the-counter inorganic skin protectant and astringent material, conventionally consisting predominantly of zinc oxide with a small amount of ferric oxide that gives the material its characteristic pink color. It is used in topical preparations to temporarily relieve itching and minor skin irritation, including irritation associated with poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and insect bites, and to help dry oozing or weeping skin. Its effect is local and physical rather than mediated through a defined molecular receptor target. U.S. OTC regulations list calamine as an allowable skin-protectant active ingredient at concentrations of 1% to 25%. ([ecfr.gov](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-347/subpart-B/section-347.10))

Other names

calaminecalamine [USP]iron oxide mixture with zinc oxide