Calamine, also known as calamine lotion, is a medication made from a combination of powdered zinc oxide and 0.5% ferric oxide (Fe2O3) that is used to treat mild itching. It benefits sunburn, insect bites, allergenic irritation, and other mild skin conditions, and may also help dry out secretions resulting from skin irritation. Its name comes from calamine, a historic name for the zinc ores smithsonite and hemimorphite.