General Anti-Itch FAQ

See page 2 on the Material Safety Data Sheet form

Yes, currently it is 2 years.  The expiration date can be found on the side of the bottle near the batch code.

When using Calagel, apply a very thin layer. If too much is applied the Calagel will flake off.

Calagel will not "heal" the rash, but it will help relieve the symptoms. Calagel's active ingredient, diphenhydramine, is an analgesic and antihistamine that provides itch relief from the rash.  It is combined with zinc acetate which is a skin protectant that helps protect the rash from further damage. It also contains a first aid antiseptic to help protect against infection.

No, Calagel contains a small percentage of sodium metabisulfite. The Calagel bottle warns against using the product if allergic to sulfites.

The symptoms of a sulfite reaction vary from mild to life threatening. The most common symptoms are mild and involve a skin rash accompanied by redness, hives, itching, flushing, tingling, and swelling. Respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, wheezing, and stridor. Gastrointestinal reactions involve nausea and stomach cramps. Less common but more serious signs include low blood pressure, shock, extreme difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.

We can't recommend using it for chicken pox. Oftentimes chicken pox cover a large area of the body, so if Calagel is applied to all those areas it is possible to overdose.

Zinc Acetate is catagorized by the FDA as a skin protectant. "It provides temporary skin protection and relieves minor irritation and itching due to poison ivy, oak, sumac, and insect bites."  It is not a "barrier".

Consult your physician first.  All ingredients are GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) according to the FDA. However, during pregnancy you are more likely to develop allergies, so use with caution.

See page 2 of the Material Safety Data Sheet form