Antibiotic ointment: How safe is this first aid treatment?
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The bottom line
Antibiotic ointment is applied to skin to prevent or treat minor skin infections. It is made with 1 to 3 antibiotics. Swallowing it may cause mild stomach upset. In the eye it can cause irritation, stinging, and blurry vision. Allergic skin reactions (redness, swelling, itching, rash) are more common with bacitracin and neomycin and are more likely if you use the ointment repeatedly.
Prevention tips
Store antibiotic ointments up, away, and out of reach of children.
Read and follow label instructions.
Wash your hands with soap and water before applying ointment.
Apply sparingly.
Do not touch the tip of the tube to the skin.
Use for no longer than 7 to 10 days, depending on the antibiotic ointment.
Stop using the ointment if an allergic reaction occurs.
This really happened
A 39-year-old woman was being treated with Neosporin ointment for impetigo. She developed a sudden red, inflamed rash on her right arm, around her mouth, and on the right side of her forehead. Her doctors suspected an allergic reaction to Neosporin. She stopped using it and was treated with steroid pills (prednisone) and a steroid ointment. Her skin improved within 1 week. Some time later, she used Neosporin on another part of her body, and the rash came back. She was treated again with steroid pills and ointment and improved quickly. Skin patch testing showed she was allergic to all 3 antibiotics in Neosporin: neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin.
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What is antibiotic ointment?
Antibiotic ointment or cream is a medication that is applied to the skin to prevent or treat minor skin infections. It is primarily used to treat minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.
What are the different types of antibiotic ointment?
Antibiotic ointments contain 1, 2, or 3 antibiotics. Most are available without a prescription, and 1 requires a prescription. The most common types are:
Bacitracin: A nonprescription antibiotic ointment that contains 1 antibiotic.
Polysporin: A nonprescription antibiotic ointment that contains 2 antibiotics: bacitracin and polymyxin B.
Neosporin: A nonprescription antibiotic ointment that contains 3 antibiotics: bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B.
Mupirocin (Bactroban): An antibiotic ointment that contains 1 antibiotic and is available by prescription only. It is used to treat infected wounds, infected hair follicles, and impetigo (a very contagious skin infection). It is effective against Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA, a drug-resistant type of staph, in the nose) and Streptococcus pyogenes.
My child swallowed antibiotic ointment. What should I do?
Wipe out your child’s mouth with a wet cloth and give them a small amount of water to drink. Your child may have a mild stomach upset, including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Get expert help
If someone swallows antibiotic ointment, gets it in their eyes, or you have questions about using antibiotic ointment safely, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Can antibiotic ointment cause an allergic skin reaction?
Yes, allergic skin reactions can occur. They are more likely if you use the ointment repeatedly. Allergic skin reactions are also more common with bacitracin and neomycin. Signs include redness, swelling, itching, burning, blistering, or a rash.
What happens if antibiotic ointment gets in the eyes?
Rinse the eye with water for 10–15 minutes. Antibiotic ointment in the eye can cause irritation, stinging, and blurry vision. The blurry vision comes from the greasy ointment and goes away on its own. Antibiotic ointment does not cause permanent damage.
Is it safe to use antibiotic ointment on a child's cut?
Yes, it is safe to use antibiotic ointment on a child’s small cut. Antibiotic ointment is not always needed. Washing the cut with soap and water and keeping it moist with petroleum jelly or Aquaphor is often enough.