Calamine

Chemical Properties

pink powder (but often sold in the form of a

Uses

calamine has mildly astringent and cooling qualities, and is particularly useful for sunburned or irritated skin. Calamine is a mineral solution composed primarily of zinc oxide with the addition of approximately 0.5 percent ferric oxide.

Uses

Antipruritic.

Definition

calamine: A mineral form of zinccarbonate, ZnCO₃ (smithsonite), althoughin the USA the same name isgiven to a hydrated zinc silicate(hemimorphite). The calamine usedmedicinally in lotions for treatingsunburn and other skin conditions isbasic zinc carbonate coloured pinkwith a trace of iron(III) oxide.

Definition

1. A mineral consisting of hydrated zinc silicate (2ZnO. SiO₂.H₂O). It is also known as hemimorphite. 2. Zinc carbonate (ZnCO₃), which occurs naturally as a mineral also known as smithsonite. The carbonate is used medicinally in suspension as a soothing lotion for sunburn and skin complaints. Formerly, the natural mineral was used for this but now medicinal calamine is made by precipitating a basic zinc carbonate from a solution of a zinc salt. It is usually colored pink by the addition of small quantities of iron(III) oxide.