Calamine lotion is for external use on the skin only. It prevents bacterial infections and improves the healing of the skin. Calamine lotion is a medication that treats itchiness. It helps treat insect bites, sunburns, and certain mild skin ailments and diseases.

Calamine lotion creates a cooling sensation upon contact with skin. This offers temporary relief from mosquito bites (or ant bites). Its cooling effect will distract the itchiness and soothes the skin. It contains a zinc oxide-like compound that reduces itching.

Calamine lotion is the most common lotion used to soothe itching due to chickenpox, applied directly to blisters to help them dry out and to give the skin relief.