I have been using Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant for about thirty years. I use the Calamine lotion for one of two issues; when I get Poison Oak or Poison Ivy. There is a lot of Poison Oak in the North - West. It seems like every time that I go camping, fishing or hunting, I'll come down with a bad reaction to Poison Oak. My mom used to use an old home remedy that worked OK, but not as good as Calamine lotion. She would use a mixture of bleach and water (1/4 bleach 3/4 water). This remedy would dry the rash out but can not be very good for you. I don't recommend this remedy. The reactions that I had as I got older became worse. My mother decided to try the Calamine lotion. The Calamine lotion worked quite a bit better than the bleach.

The only problem that I had with the Calamine lotion was that it would come off when I would break any kind of sweat whatsoever. So I would carry a bottle with me when I was camping, hunting or fishing. I would mainly use the Calamine lotion in the mornings and again in the evenings. Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant can be used to treat, Poison Oak, Poison Ivy, Poison Sumac and even acne. The Calamine lotion dries out the affected area. It also reduces the intense itching that accompanies these allergic reactions. This particular lotion is pink in color. Just recently pharmaceutical companies have developed a clear Calamine lotion.

The main thing to remember when treating an allergic reaction to one of these poisonous plants is to keep the area clean and keep the Calamine lotion on the effected areas. If you start scratching the rash it will only get worse and spread. These allergic reactions can spread extremely fast if not treated right. Once you realize that you are having an allergic reaction to one of the discussed poisonous plants you need to get in the shower as soon as possible. The reaction will start where ever your skin made contact with poison bush. The sap will usually get on your hands. The reaction will take a few hours to start. In the mean time you have touched many parts of your body with your hands. Where ever you have spread the sap with your hands, you will eventually break out with a very uncomfortable rash. Wash your cloths and take a very thorough shower. Apply the Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant to any affected areas. If everything goes well, your rashes will clear up in three to five days. The Calamine lotion will provide relief for the intense itching feeling.

If the allergic reaction spreads to your face you should seek medical attention immediately. Some people may go into anaphylactic shock and their throat will swell shut. Allergic reactions are very serious! If your reaction is serious enough, get to the Emergency Room as soon as possible. They have injections that will provide immediate relief to those who are suffering from a severe reaction. My reactions to Poison Oak gradually got worse over the years and I had to be taken to E.R. on a couple of occasions for shots. I eventually under went a series of shots and now I rarely have a reaction to Poison Oak. When rash pops up every now and then, I’ll treat it with Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant.

Active Ingredients: Calamine, 6.971% (skin protectant), Zinc Oxide, 6.971% (skin protectant)
Inactive Ingredients: Bentonite, Calcium Hydroxide, Glycerin, Purified Water

How to use

Shake the bottle very well before applying. Apply Calamine lotion to a cotton ball and dab the lotion on the affected areas. Apply as needed to help stop itching and weeping. This medication is for external use only. Keep away from your eyes and children. If this medication is swallowed contact the poison center immediately!

Final Thoughts

Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant is a pretty decent medication for mild cases of Poison Oak, Ivy and Sumac. The medication provides relief from the constant irritation of the rashes. I keep a bottle of Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant in my medicine cabinet, first-aid kit, military gear and camping gear. When and if you ever need it, it will surly come in handy! I give Rite-Aid Calamine Lotion Skin Protectant four of five stars and would recommend Calamine lotion to anyone who spends much time gallivanting around the wilderness.

Thanks for the read,
~Mac

©2004 Joe McMaster

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