Caladryl vs Calamine
When bug bites appear or you develop summertime rashes, you want relief as quickly as possible. That is why there are so many ointments, creams, and lotions available on the market today. They all promise to be the best thing for you to use on itching areas, but some seem to continue itching ever after you use it. The two most popular and effective choices available are Caladryl and Calamine. Is one better than the other or are they best used for one type of itch over another? Read our Caladryl vs Calamine review to find out if you are using the right stuff or not.
| Caladryl | Caladryl Clear | Calamine |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Dries Pink | Dries Clear | Dries Pink |
| Rating: 4.4 | Rating: 4.5 | Rating: 3.8 |
| Contains hydrocortisone | Contains hydrocortisone | N/A hydrocortisone |
 | | |
How Is Caladryl and Calamine Different?
Not many people understand the difference between these two products. When looking for itch relief, they often ask, “What is Caladryl”. The truth is, “It is Calamine with a kick”. This is because Caladryl lotion ingredients include, Calamine and pramoxine HCI, a type of topical anesthetic. This may make some people question then, “What is Calamine” because it is included in both. If you look further, you will see that Calamine lotion is a mixture of zinc oxide and either ferric oxide or zinc carbonate compound. Caladryl is not recommended for children 2 and under because of the analgesic components of the lotion. Since Calamine’s active ingredients are Calamine 8% and Zinc Oxide 8%, not containing an analgesic ingredient, it is a preferred choice for children 6 months-2 years of age.
Calamine Lotion
Which is Best for Mosquito Bites
Both Calamine and Caladryl are able to treat itching that is associated with bug bites, poison oak, poison ivy, and poison sumac, as well as many other skin irritations. However, neither one should be used over large areas of the body and if you are using Caladryl cream. Due to the topical analgesic in Caladryl, you will want to avoid taking other products that contain antihistamines to reduce the risk of potential overdose. Both Calamine and Caladryl are water-based, but when applied with a cotton ball or gauze to the troubled site, allow the liquid to air dry. As to the effectiveness of either one in regards to poison ivy and insect bites, you will discover that both are able to work well to dry up rashes, but it is Caladryl that people prefer to eliminate the sting and itch that mosquitoes leave behind. It is most popular because Caladryl lotion uses hydrocortisone to block itching at the source.
To learn more about your options, you should take a look at the reviews below. They are both Caladryl products and promise to get you through anything that itches.
Caladryl Original Lotion
This Caladryl has a 4.4-star rating. It does leave you pink in the same way that calamine lotions do. In fact, most people call it calamine and most people remember using it as a child and say that it still works just as good as it did then. It uses pramoxine HCI, a hydrocortisone, to block itching. It is designed for external use only. It is a little slow to dry and not designed for use under makeup.
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Caladryl Skin Protectant, Clear
The Caladryl Clear is a great option if you do not want to have pink splotches. It can relieve pain and itching. It dries up oozing or weeping of poison oak, sumac, and ivy rashes. You should, however, only use it 3-4 times a day and never on a child that is under 2-years. It holds a 4.5-star rating from everyone who would prefer to have a clear protectant over their itching, burning rashes.
Content of this post is for reference purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for advice given by a physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. This information should not be used for self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease. Contact your health-care professional immediately if you suspect that you have a medical problem.