Reasons to avoid: severe wounds, allergy to bacitracin or any inactive ingredient in the ointmentĪverage retail cost: $7.29 for a 1 oz tube Cover the area with a sterile bandage if needed.Īverage retail cost: $5.39 for a 1 oz tube Apply a small amount (about the size of the tip of your finger) on the wound 1 to 3 times daily. It’s important to keep in mind that cost may vary, especially if you’re purchasing a generic or store-brand version. And infections can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated.īelow is some basic information to know about each of these OTC antibiotic ointments. Infected wounds may become more painful, red in color, or swollen. These symptoms can happen with infections, so treating an infection can help relieve this discomfort. But they do help treat and prevent infection. So, choosing the best OTC antibiotic ointment may be based more on availability, cost, personal preference, and any history of allergic reactions to a specific ingredient.Īntibiotic ointments don’t help with pain, inflammation, or itching. But there’s very little research that shows differences in how well particular products work. OTC antibiotic ointments are more effective at preventing infections than not using an antibiotic. How do I choose which OTC antibiotic ointment is best for me? You should also consult your healthcare provider if your wound doesn’t improve in about 1 week or if it’s getting worse. You may need stitches, sutures, or another treatment. If a wound doesn’t easily stay closed with a bandage or other basic dressing, you should seek the help of your healthcare provider. You should apply the ointment after cleaning the wound. You should only use antibiotic ointments on wounds that aren’t open - or that can easily be closed. Mupirocin is usually more effective than OTC antibiotic ointments because it’s better at killing bacteria that typically cause skin infections. For some types of skin wounds, you may need prescription topical antibiotics such as mupirocin (Bactroban), metronidazole (Metrogel), or even oral antibiotics. The OTC antibiotic ointments Polysporin, Neosporin, and bacitracin are useful for minor skin injuries. Even though the medication is absorbed, especially through broken or burned skin, these products aren’t useful for treating infections that go deeper than the skin. The purpose of using antibiotic ointments on skin wounds is to prevent or treat infections that may happen when the skin breaks or is weakened by cuts, scrapes, or burns. If you’re unsure of how to properly clean and dress a wound, you should consult your healthcare provider. It’s also important to clean and sometimes bandage an injury. Using antibiotic ointments is one part of caring for skin wounds. In fact, lots of people use antibiotic ointments to treat such minor injuries. Healthcare professionals often use them to treat minor skin injuries such as scrapes, cuts, or burns. What are antibiotic ointments?Īntibiotic ointments are medications that are applied topically - on the skin - to help kill bacteria. Read on to learn what you need to know about Polysporin, Neosporin, and bacitracin. All of these ointments are available over the counter (OTC), so you can buy them without a prescription.īut what are the differences between these antibiotics ointments? And if you’re considering purchasing one to keep at home, which one should you choose? It’s also helpful to know when to use an antibiotic ointment and when it’s best to avoid one. These products help prevent or treat infection. One common product found in first-aid kits is an antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin (bacitracin/polymyxin B), Neosporin (bacitracin/neomycin/polymyxin B), or bacitracin. When you get a cut or scrape, you may find yourself reaching for the first-aid kit to clean, bandage, and care for the wound.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |