An over-the-counter (OTC) drug used to soothe itchy blisters caused by chickenpox or monkey chickenpox has been out of stock in UK pharmacies for up to 5 months. me learned.
Calamine lotion has become a favorite among parents to prevent their children from scratching chickenpox sores, but in recent months it has become much more difficult to obtain.
GPs are often prescribed or recommended, especially for children suffering from an itchy chickenpox rash, but a shortage across the UK makes it hard for parents to afford.
it comes following me Last month, the NHS said it was facing a shortage of essential drugs, including antidepressants, blood pressure tablets, steroids and pills used to relieve arthritis pain.
Street chemists are also experiencing shortages of some hay fever treatments, such as Piriton, due to supply issues with the active ingredient, chlorphenamine maleate.
Calamine lotion, which can also be used to soothe eczema and sunburn, has been missing from drugstore shelves for five months. me learned.
The UK supplier is currently out of stock due to supply issues with the active pharmaceutical ingredient, but the issue is expected to be resolved by the end of the month, according to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Topical itch remedies can be used to treat skin irritation caused by chickenpox, measles, eczema, sunburn, poison ivy, and other mild conditions.
One clinical pharmacist recommended asking your local pharmacy to ask for Eurax Cream, another anti-itch agent that soothes chickenpox blisters.
“That’s the main thing I use instead of calamine,” he said. me. “It’s a cream rather than a lotion, but it’s almost the same.”
Another home remedy is aloe vera gel.
According to the NHS, chickenpox is a highly contagious virus and is most common in children under the age of 10. It usually resolves on its own within a few weeks without the need to see a GP.
According to NHS Scotland, most children get the virus in winter and spring, but it is most common between March and May.
It occurred amid outbreaks of monkeypox across the UK and Europe. Monkey head can also cause a very itchy rash, and calamine lotion is recommended to soothe it.
Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiation Committee (PSNC) have announced that Calamine Lotion is currently out of stock from several vendors.
Matt Barclay, Operations Director at Community Pharmacy Scotland, said, “Calamine has inventory issues, but there are alternatives and your local pharmacist should be able to help you.”
He said many pharmacies have not been able to get an over-the-counter (OTC) drug for a while.
Because it’s an over-the-counter drug with many alternatives, he suggested, it may have “slipped through the niche.”
Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland is not addressing shortages on the same scale.
What are the symptoms of chickenpox?
The main symptom is an itchy, patchy rash that can appear anywhere on the body. According to the NHS, it is done in three stages.
Step 1: Small spots appear
The spots may spread throughout the body or may be localized in one area. It can be red, pink, darker or the same color as the surrounding skin and can cause pain.
Stage 2: The spots become blisters
The spots become filled with body fluid and become blisters that can be very itchy and bursting.
Step 3: Blisters turn into scabs.
The scab may peel off or leak fluid.
Other symptoms include a high fever, usually feeling sick, and loss of appetite.
How to treat chickenpox at home
The NHS says that a person with chickenpox must stay at home until the spots form scabs, which usually takes 5 days.
According to the NHS:
- drink water
- taking paracetamol
- Use a cooling cream sold at a pharmacy
- Talk to your pharmacist regarding using an antihistamine.
- Cut your child’s nails at night and wear socks on their hands to avoid scratching.
- bathe in lukewarm water
- wear loose clothing
do not do that:
- Do not use ibuprofen unless directed by your doctor.
- Do not give aspirin to children under the age of 16.
- Do not go near newborns, pregnant women, or immunocompromised persons, as chickenpox can be dangerous.
- Do not scratch as this may cause scarring.
Calamine lotions usually cost less than 2 pounds, 1.89 pounds from Lloyds Pharmacy and 1.60 pounds from Boots. Both pharmacies are currently out of stock, but Boots has some calamine creams for £1.80.
The exact cause of the inventory problem is not clear, but it might be due to a shortage of raw materials at the manufacturing stage, distribution problems, or increased demand.
There are many alternatives, and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) recommends contacting your local pharmacy for advice on alternative OTC medications to relieve the itch associated with chickenpox.
An RPS official said, “Products may fluctuate in supply, and in general, supply may vary due to problems with manufacturers or factories, and problems with material availability. Other issues, such as global demand, also play a role.
“Always consult your pharmacist if you cannot obtain a product or drug.”
A spokesperson for DHSC said: “We are aware that calamine lotion suppliers are currently experiencing supply restrictions, which should be addressed by the end of June.
“We want to reassure our patients that there are a variety of alternative products and should speak to their pharmacist or prescriber if they have any concerns.
“We have well-established procedures for dealing with drug shortages and discontinuations, and we work with a variety of stakeholders to ensure that risks are minimized as they occur.”
