Use an Anti-Itch Cream or Lotion Calamine lotion is particularly helpful at relieving the itching caused by poison ivy. And if you have a very mild rash, then hydrocortisone cream is another excellent option to consider.
Apply an over-the-counter cortisone cream or ointment (Cortizone 10) for the first few days. Apply calamine lotion or creams containing menthol. Take oral antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), which may also help you sleep better.
Calamine lotion is helpful for contact dermatitis, such as poison ivy or oak rashes. For severe itching, apply hydrocortisone cream (1%) 3 times a day until the itch is gone.
Applying topical OTC skin protectants, such as zinc acetate, zinc carbonate, zinc oxide, and calamine dry the oozing and weeping of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. Protectants such as baking soda or colloidal oatmeal relieve minor irritation and itching. Aluminum acetate is an astringent that relieves rash.
Skin treatments — For some people, adding oatmeal to a bath, applying cool wet compresses, and applying calamine lotion may help to relieve itching. Once the blisters begin weeping fluid, astringents containing aluminum acetate (Burow's solution) and Domeboro may help to relieve the rash.
The Bottom Line on Using Calamine for Skin Concerns
It's true that people with oily skin types may see some benefit, but it can still damage the skin barrier. It's not recommended for those with sensitive or dry skin, or for those with chronic skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, or psoriasis.
Avoid dry skin, which makes the itching caused by the rash worse. Apply a moisturizer or calamine lotion to the skin while it is damp.
Descriptions. Calamine is used to relieve the itching, pain, and discomfort of minor skin irritations, such as those caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. This medicine also dries oozing and weeping caused by poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
In addition, the medication can help dry up any weeping and oozing that occurs due to reactions from poisonous plants such as poison ivy. While calamine lotion doesn't cure any conditions, it can help relieve any symptoms that develop because of them.
Take a bath: Oatmeal baths and Domeboro® soaks are good home remedies for poison ivy itch, as they can relieve skin irritation. “They're very soothing and can help dry up the rash,” Dr. Ng says.
Again, it is important to avoid mucous membranes and areas of skin that are fragile, such as the mouth and genitals. A person with acne can apply calamine lotion before going to bed so that it works during sleep to shrink spots. However, people with sensitive skin may wish to avoid doing this, as it may be too drying.
Avoid using calamine lotion if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, have open sores on the skin, or if your condition is worsening.
The bottom line
Calamine lotion is an OTC treatment option that can help relieve your skin of mild itching, inflammation, or redness. It can be used to relieve a variety of skin conditions, like poison ivy rashes, insect bites, and swimmer's itch.
Try calamine lotion for a rash caused by contact dermatitis, such as poison ivy or poison oak rashes. For severe itching from contact dermatitis, apply hydrocortisone cream 4 times a day until the itch is gone. But don't use this cream on a fungal rash, because it can make the rash worse.
Gently clean and dry the affected area. If you are using a lotion, spray, or foam product, shake the container well before using as directed on the label. For skin irritation, apply to the affected area usually up to 3 to 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor.
As an alternative, our homemade calamine lotion uses absorptive, healing and soothing bentonite clay, bi-carb soda, Tasmanian sea salt and essential oils. Bentonite clay: a drawing clay, which means it draws impurities and toxins out of the skin. It is very soothing too.
Body heat and sweating can aggravate the itching. Stay cool and apply cool compresses to your skin. Calamine lotion and hydrocortisone cream can be applied to the skin to reduce itching and blistering. Bathing in lukewarm water with an oatmeal bath product, available in drugstores, may soothe itchy skin.
It may seem like your poison ivy rash is spreading over time, but there are a few possible explanations. Different parts of the body tend to absorb urushiol at different rates. You could also have urushiol trapped under your fingernails or continued exposure to contaminated objects.
At night, the body's production of corticosteroids that reduce inflammation also slows down. It releases more cytokines at night, which increases inflammation. A combination of these two factors can make night itching worse.