calamine

[kal-uh-mahyn, -min]

noun

1. a pink, water-insoluble powder consisting of zinc oxide and about 0.5 percent ferric oxide, used in ointments, lotions, or the like, for the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin.

2. Mineralogy.,  hemimorphite.

3. Chiefly British.,  smithsonite.

calamine

/ ˈkæləˌmaɪn /

noun

1. a pink powder consisting of zinc oxide and ferric oxide, (iron(III) oxide), used medicinally in the form of soothing lotions or ointments

2. another name for smithsonite hemimorphite

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamine¹

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin calamīna, unexplained alteration of Latin cadmia cadmium; -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of calamine¹

C17: from Old French, from Medieval Latin calamīna, from Latin cadmīa; see _cadmium

Example Sentences

You can use calamine lotion or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to reduce or alleviate the itch.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

For topical relief, the American Dermatological Association recommends calamine lotion, which has cooling properties.

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I was lathered up in calamine lotion and had swallowed a bucketful of antihistamines with my morning orange juice.

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To minimize the urge to scratch, Houshmand suggested first washing the affected area with tepid water and gentle soap and then applying calamine lotion or an anti-itch cream, such as 1 percent hydrocortisone.

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There’s no specific treatment for the rash, other than remedies like calamine lotion, the department said.

Read more on New York Times