Calamine
Place in Therapy
Place in Therapy
According to the UK dermatology guidelines and multiple review articles, calamine lotion is indicated for pruritus that is associated with urticaria, bug bites, bee stings, and allergies to poison ivy and other plants. It is used for its cooling effects and soothing action. It is an agent that is used as an adjunct for symptomatic relief of pruritus and does not correct the underlying pathophysiology of urticaria. It is not first line as monotherapy, but can be used in addition to first line agents (i.e second generation antihistamines) to alleviate symptoms. Most of the evidence behind calamine use for pruritus is based on expert opinion and are not investigated in clinical trials specifically for managing urticarial symptoms.
References
1. Grattan CEH and Humphreys F. Guidelines for evaluation and management of urticaria in adults and children. British J of Dermatol. 2007.157:1116-1123.
2. FDA. Outsmarting poison ivy and other plants. 2014. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049342.htm
3. Millikan LE. Alternative therapy in pruritus. Dermatologic Therapy. 2003. 16:175-180
4. Lexicomp Online. Calamine [Internet].2014. Available from: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/108
5. WebMD. Calamine lotion. 2014. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/calamine-topical-route/description/drg-20062463
6. Poonawalla T, Brent K. Urticaria: A review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2009. 10(1):9-21
7. Boontangjai C, Tangtrakulwanich B,Comparison of cast-associated pruritus prevention using calamine lotion and talcum powder.Jounal of Or thopeadic Surgery 2010Oct;30(3): 697-99
According to the UK dermatology guidelines and multiple review articles, calamine lotion is indicated for pruritus that is associated with urticaria, bug bites, bee stings, and allergies to poison ivy and other plants. It is used for its cooling effects and soothing action. It is an agent that is used as an adjunct for symptomatic relief of pruritus and does not correct the underlying pathophysiology of urticaria. It is not first line as monotherapy, but can be used in addition to first line agents (i.e second generation antihistamines) to alleviate symptoms. Most of the evidence behind calamine use for pruritus is based on expert opinion and are not investigated in clinical trials specifically for managing urticarial symptoms.
References
1. Grattan CEH and Humphreys F. Guidelines for evaluation and management of urticaria in adults and children. British J of Dermatol. 2007.157:1116-1123.
2. FDA. Outsmarting poison ivy and other plants. 2014. Available from: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm049342.htm
3. Millikan LE. Alternative therapy in pruritus. Dermatologic Therapy. 2003. 16:175-180
4. Lexicomp Online. Calamine [Internet].2014. Available from: http://online.lexi.com.proxy.lib.uwaterloo.ca/lco/action/doc/retrieve/docid/patch_f/108
5. WebMD. Calamine lotion. 2014. Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/calamine-topical-route/description/drg-20062463
6. Poonawalla T, Brent K. Urticaria: A review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2009. 10(1):9-21
7. Boontangjai C, Tangtrakulwanich B,Comparison of cast-associated pruritus prevention using calamine lotion and talcum powder.Jounal of Or thopeadic Surgery 2010Oct;30(3): 697-99