Being bitten by mosquitoes is really itchy!
Also try to be patient!
No! can! chaos ! Grasp!
After all, scratching not only can’t stop itching, but if you scratch the mosquito bag, it will leave scars in mild cases and infection in severe cases.
Adults can barely hold back. If there are children at home, it is really difficult to control their little hands that have nowhere to put them at all times.
What’s more, the itchy skin in summer is not limited to mosquito packs:
Prickly heat, sweat rash, sunburn, and urticaria have acute attacks, and the degree of itching at these times is much more than that of being bitten by mosquitoes…
The dermatologist has seen it all and threw a bottle at you: Calamine Lotion!
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Why is Calamine Lotion so effective in relieving itching?
Let’s start with its ingredients:
The over-the-counter calamine lotion sold on the market is usually a simple “powder bottle” made of calamine, zinc oxide, glycerin, and distilled water.
Calamine is a mineral powder that absorbs moisture while reducing external friction and irritation to the skin. Combined with zinc oxide and glycerin, it can also relieve itching, anti-inflammatory and calming effects.
Some compounded calamine lotions are also infused with menthol, which adds an extra cooling sensation and reduces the redness, itching, and discomfort associated with mosquito bites.
As far as the anti-itching effect of mosquito packs is concerned, applying calamine lotion is much more reliable than applying saliva, toothpaste, crosses, and soapy water. .
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
Calamine lotion is also very safe.
It has been included in the list of essential medicines for children by the World Health Organization (WHO) and recommended as a safe medicine for infants and young children [1].
In addition to relieving mosquito bites, calamine lotion has many uses, including:
Mosquito bites (including mites, mosquitoes, midges, bed bugs, fleas, bees, etc.)
Acute urticaria
Prickly heat
Chickenpox (do not use on broken, fluid-filled areas of chickenpox)
Mild sunburn (localized redness, heat, no blisters)
Pregnant women and babies are often soaked in sweat
If you have a sweaty baby or pregnant woman at home, you can also apply calamine lotion on the sweaty part, which can not only absorb moisture, but also reduce the damage caused by friction.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
In the cross-border e-commerce and purchasing groups, among the most popular Internet celebrity anti-itching products among parents, “Climbing Di” from Japan must occupy a C position. So calamine lotion and incomparable drops, which one is better?
Incomparable drops of antipruritic principle relies on an antihistamine for allergy treatment – diphenhydramine hydrochloride.
Diphenhydramine has a strong central inhibitory effect. In the United States and other countries, it is not recommended for infants under 2 years of age to use it unless advised by doctors [2].
Knock on the blackboard!
Any version of Infinity Drops should not be used on children under the age of 2.
Children over the age of 2 can use the children’s version of Infinity, never use the adult version of Infinity.
The adult version will add camphor and mint to diphenhydramine hydrochloride. Both components are potentially neurotoxic to children.
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
No matter how good a drug is, it must be used correctly to be effective. Before using calamine lotion, pay special attention to the following 4 points:
1. Do not use if the skin is damaged: In cases such as prickly heat, mosquito packs, chickenpox, etc., the skin is often damaged or watery, and calamine should not be used at this time. stone lotion;
2. Don’t apply superimposed: Before each application, you need to wipe off the traces of previous application with warm water, otherwise the layers are too thick, and the Not conducive to recovery;
3. For babies and pregnant women, please confirm the ingredient list first, do not contain menthol. Menthol may have adverse effects on the nervous system of babies under 2 years of age, be sure to read the ingredient description on the package carefully before purchasing.
4. Pay attention to the shelf life: The shelf life of calamine lotion is generally about 2 years. Please check the shelf life before use: the calamine lotion bought the year before, this year Do not continue to use it!
Image source: Zhanku Hailuo
How to use:
1. Wash and dry the affected area: Wash and dry the affected area, especially the areas with prickly heat and wrinkled skin where sweat is easy to hide part;
2. Shake before use: Calamine lotion will delaminate after standing for a period of time. This is a normal phenomenon. Shake evenly before use. good;
3. Apply the liquid with a cotton swab: Use a clean cotton swab to soak the shaken liquid, and wipe it evenly on the affected area, avoiding the eye area and mouth. Week;
4. Do not rub off the white powder deliberately: After the lotion dries, it will leave a layer of white or pink powder. This layer of powder has the effect of protecting the skin and reducing friction, so there is no need to wipe it off deliberately.
5. Wipe off traces of powder before reapplying: Before reapplying, gently wipe off traces of powder from the previous application with warm water. This is to ensure that the drug is in direct contact with the skin every time to achieve better results.
To summarize, as one of the commonly used topical over-the-counter medicines in dermatology, Calamine Lotion:
Low price – a bottle of about ten yuan, can be used for a long time
Easy to buy—available at pharmacies and even convenience stores
Safe and harmless – pregnant women, babies and nursing mothers can use it with confidence
Versatile—everything from mosquito bites to prickly heat, hives, mild sunburns
“Appearance” is high enough – pink and lovely, and the skin feels silky
Of course, no matter how easy it is to use the medicine, remember to buy it from regular channels, look for the OTC logo, and remember to read the instructions carefully before using it.
Review expert: Sun Liyuan| Deputy Chief Physician, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University
References
[1](2020). Retrieved 10 August 2020, from https:https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/273825/EMLc-6-eng .pdf?ua=1&ua=1
[2]Diphenhydramine Uses, Dosage & Side Effects – Drugs.com. (2020). Retrieved 10 August 2020, from https:https://www.drugs.com/diphenhydramine.html
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