OTC Skin & First Aid

Calamine lotion

Calamine (zinc oxide + ferric oxide) lotion

The pink bottle for angry skin — cools, dries and calms most everyday itches.

FormLotion
Use*Shake well, dab on with cotton
Frequency3–4× a day
Works inMinutes (cooling)

Educational reference only — not medical advice. *Doses shown are typical adult label doses. Read the pack, and confirm with a doctor or pharmacist — especially for children, pregnancy, the elderly, or any chronic condition.

What it's for

Uses

Prickly heat Itchy rashes Insect bites Chickenpox itch Mild sunburn Contact-irritation patches

Why it earns its place

Benefits

  • Cools on contact and takes the edge off scratching
  • Gentle enough for children's chickenpox itch
  • No drug interactions — it works on the surface

The honest column

Side effects

Before you take it

Cautions & interactions

  • Skin only — never on eyes, mouth or broken, oozing skin
  • If itch persists beyond a week of use, get the rash diagnosed
  • Moisturise between applications if skin over-dries

On the shelf

Brands in India & where to buy

Calamine Lotion IP Various (generic) 100 ml bottle ₹60–90indicative MRP — verify current price
Lacto Calamine Piramal 120 ml bottle (skincare variant) ₹135–150indicative MRP — verify current price

Prices are indicative MRPs for the listed pack sizes and change often — always verify on the pharmacy listing or pack. Links open marketplace searches; Naked Compound has no sponsorship or affiliate arrangement with any brand listed. Brand names are examples of what's commonly stocked, not endorsements.

When to skip self-medication

Fever beyond 3 days, blood anywhere it shouldn't be, chest pain or breathlessness, severe abdominal pain, a child under 6, pregnancy, or symptoms bouncing back within a week — any of these means see a doctor the same day instead of reaching for this pack.

Read this before you reach for anything

This page is an educational reference, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a prescription. Doses shown are typical adult label doses for short-term self-care. Children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, the elderly, and anyone with chronic conditions or on regular medication should check with a doctor or pharmacist first. If symptoms are severe, unusual, or match any red flag above, skip the self-medication and see a doctor. Read how we work in our methodology.