Question

Calamine solution is applied on the skin when ant bites. Explain why?

Answer 1

In the above question, it is asked why calamite solution is applied on the skin when ant bites. Since, ant bites injects weak acid, applying a basic solution can give some relief.

Complete answer:
As we know that the sting of an ant contains formic acid. Therefore, when an ant bites, it injects formic acid into our skin and due to which we feel a burning sensation.
Calamine is basic in nature. The chemical formula is zinc carbonate (${\text{ZnC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$).
When an acid reacts with base, neutralisation reaction takes place. The reaction which takes place during this process is illustrated below, i.e., reaction of formic acid and zinc carbonate:
${\text{2HCOOH + ZnC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{ }} \to {\text{ Zn(HCOO}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{ + }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$
${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$ formed further undergoes a chemical reaction to form water and carbon dioxide.
${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}} \to {\text{ }}{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O + C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}$
And hence, calamite solution is applied on the skin when an ant bites so that aid-base neutralisation reaction takes place and hence, we get relief.

Note:
Calamine is a very useful product. It is used to treat insect bites, chickenpox, shingles, scabies, chigger bites and minor burns.
Calamine is an anti-itch medicine that works by causing a cooling sensation as it evaporates from the skin.
Calamine is not recommended if one is allergic to it. It is usually not advisable for pregnant women to take calamine as it could have harmful effects on unborn babies.