Antibiotic Cream For Staph Infection

What Is Mupirocin How Does It Work

Mupirocin is an antibiotic that is used topically for the treatment of impetigo, a bacterial disease of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus and Streptococcus pyogenes. It also is used intranasally by patients and some people who work in healthcare centers to eliminate methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that have colonized the inside of the nose.

Unlike most other antibiotics that act on either bacterial DNA or the walls of bacteria, mupirocin blocks the activity of an enzyme called isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase within the bacteria. This enzyme is necessary in order for the bacteria to make proteins. Without the ability to make proteins, the bacteria die. Because of its unique mechanism of action, there is little chance that bacteria will have become resistant to mupirocin because of exposure to other antibiotics.

Mupirocin topical cream was approved by the FDA in December, 1987. The intranasal form was approved in October 1995.

Can We Prevent Staph Skin Infections

• Washing hands well and often is key to preventing staph infections.
• Encourage kids to keep their skin clean with a daily bath or shower. If a skin condition such as eczema makes regular bathing difficult, ask your doctor for advice.
• Keep areas of injured skin such as cuts, scrapes, and rashes caused by allergic reactions or poison ivy clean and covered, and follow any directions given by your doctor.
• If someone in your family has a staph infection, don’t share towels, sheets, or clothing until the infection has been fully treated.

Complementary And Alternative Medicine

Patients may try to treat SSTIs with complementary and alternative medicine . It is important for a clinician to understand what the literature states about such methods in order to help educate patients. One such example is the topical application of components of eucalyptus oil that have been reported to show clinical activity in the setting of MRSA skin infections.20

A study conducted on three types of honey produced in Northern Ireland and one honey produced in France demonstrated that, in vitro, the samples had an antimicrobial activity against CA-MRSA. Each honey was able to reduce the cultural count of all CA-MRSA to none detectable within 24 hours. In addition, inoculated honey remained positive for CA-MRSA until 72 hours postinoculation, at which point no culturable organisms could be detected.21

In an ethnobotanical survey carried out in the Akwapim-North district of the Republic of Ghana, 25 plant species, used in traditional medicine to treat skin disease and/or antimicrobial infections were identified.22 While many of the species showed antimicrobial activity, Alchornea cordifolia inhibited the growth of all 15 MRSA isolates similarly to or better than the other plant species against corresponding bacteria. MRSA was also less inhibited by the extracts of the other species tested.

While the topic of CAM is exciting and the research promising, it is important to educate patients that much more research is needed and to continue with their prescribed therapy.

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Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

Children with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome generally need to be treated in the hospital with antibiotics, intravenous fluids, skin creams or ointments, and pain medicines.

Because SSSS causes large areas of skin to peel off, similar to a scalding burn, kids with this condition are often treated in the burn unit or intensive care unit of the hospital.

Common Symptoms Of Impetigo

Common symptoms of impetigo include:

• the skin itches and reddens
• a collection of blisters forms, commonly around the nose and mouth
• the blisters pop and weep a yellow, sticky fluid
• the area develops a raised and wet-looking crust
• the scab dries and falls off
• the skin completely heals after a few days.

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Mupirocin Topical Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives dizziness, fast or pounding heartbeats wheezing, difficult breathing swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe stomach pain, diarrhea that is watery or bloody

• severe itching, rash, or other irritation of treated skin

• unusual skin blistering or peeling or

• any signs of a new skin infection.

Common side effects of mupirocin topical may include:

• burning, stinging

• itching or

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Study: Antibiotic Ointments May Aid Spread Of Mrsa

Researchers Suggest That Antibiotic Ointments May Be a Factor in Spread of Strain Called USA300

Sept. 14, 2011 — MRSA is also sometimes resistant to antibiotics found in over-the-counter ointments like Neosporin and Polysporin, a study shows.

The study is published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. It suggests that these ointments may be one of the factors behind the spread of an especially severe MRSA strain, called USA300, around the world.

It also means that antibiotic ointments probably wouldn’t treat or prevent MRSAskin infection, though experts say they’ve never been recommended for that purpose.

A spokeswoman for the drug company that makes Neosporin and Polysporin says the study doesn’t prove a link between the ointments and MRSA resistance to antibiotics.

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The majority of MRSA infections are picked up in hospitals. But they are becoming more common in the community. MRSA bacteria are spread through skin-to-skin contact and often strike people who are prone to cuts and scrapes like children and athletes.

The infections may first be mistaken for a pimple. But they can quickly worsen into deep pus-filled sores. Such infections, if not promptly treated, can spread to the blood, lungs, and other organs and may become life-threatening.

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What Should I Avoid While Using Bactroban

Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or bloody, call your doctor. Do not use anti-diarrhea medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes, mouth, or nose. A separate product called Bactroban nasal is made for use in the nose. Bactroban topical is for use only on the skin.

Avoid using other medications on the areas you treat with Bactroban unless your doctor tells you to.

Who Treats Staph Infections

Primary care doctors, such as internists, family medicine physicians, and pediatricians, can treat a mild case of staph. In some cases, your primary care doctor may refer you to a dermatologist for staph infections of the skin.

If your infection progresses or you develop complications, you might have to see an infectious disease specialist or a surgeon.

If you experience severe symptoms, such as a red or tender area of skin going numb, a reddened area becoming larger or hard to the touch, worsening pain, or high fever or chills, you should seek emergency medical attention at once.

Skin infections that occur in or around the eyes should also be treated as an emergency.

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What Other Drugs Will Affect Bactroban

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied mupirocin. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

What Is The Outlook For Someone With A Staph Infection

Most times, the outlook is favorable for people who have staph infections and are treated properly. As with most conditions, the best outlooks usually happen when the infection is diagnosed and treated early.

The outlook varies when a staph infection is more serious. Youll recover more quickly from a superficial skin infection than from a bigger wound or from an infection that develops inside your body.

If the staph infection is systemic , the recovery time is going to take a much longer time. This is why its so important to get medical help. Untreated staph infections can be fatal.

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Whats The Best Antibiotic For Mrsa

Finding the right antibiotic. If you think you have MRSA, talk with your doctor about getting tested to help see which antibiotics could actually work against your particular infection .

Whats best for you? The antibiotic your doctor may prescribe can vary due to the location of your infection, severity, your health status and if you have allergies to any antibiotics. So keep in mind that the information on this page is not all-inclusive, nor is it meant to imply that any of these drugs are safe or effective options for you.

About side effects, drug interactions and things to avoid with these drugs. Many things can weaken the effects of some antibiotics, and some things dont mix well with these drugs. Youll get the most benefit from antibiotics by knowing how to use them properly, safely and effectively. The info on this page is abbreviated and does not include all possible side effects, interactions and contraindications. so be sure to talk with your doctor about your medications and look at the drug product insert for a complete listing side-effects, possible drug or food interactions and precautions.

How Should I Use Mupirocin Topical

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin. If this medicine gets in your eyes, nose, or mouth, rinse with water.

Wash your hands before and after applying mupirocin topical.

Clean and dry the affected skin area. Use a cotton swab or gauze pad to apply a small amount of mupirocin topical as directed.

Do not spread mupirocin topical over large areas of skin.

Mupirocin topical is usually applied 3 times per day for 10 days. Use only a small amount of the medicine.

Use a sterile gauze pad to cover the treated skin. Do not cover treated areas with a bandage, plastic wrap, or other covering that does not allow air to circulate.

, or if your skin condition gets worse.

Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Skipping doses may also increase your risk of further infection that is resistant to antibiotics.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the medicine tube tightly closed when not in use.

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What Are The Complications Associated With A Staph Infection

If left untreated, staph infections can be deadly. Rarely, staph germs are resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat them. This infection, called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , causes severe infection and death.

This is one reason that its important to take your entire prescription of antibiotics. One factor in creating resistance has been that people only take the medication until they feel better, which means that the germs arent entirely gone.

What Are The Uses For Mupirocin

• Mupirocin is a drug used for the treatment of impetigo and infections of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, or Streptococcus pyogenes.
• Mupirocin is not recommended for use on the skin in serious burns because more of the inactive ingredient used for the ointment, polyethylene glycol , may be absorbed and can damage the kidneys.
• The nasal ointment is used for the elimination of multi-drug resistant nasal Staphylococcus aureus infection in people who are colonized by Staphylococcus aureus. Mupirocin also may be used for secondary infections as determined by your doctor.

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Medication For Staphylococcal Infections

Doctors at NYU Langone often manage staphylococcal, or staph, skin infections with antibiotics and, whenever possible, drainage. Treating an infection early reduces the odds that it might spread to other parts of the body.

The type of infection a person has determines the medication given. For example, if staph has caused a very minor skin infection, a doctor may prescribe a topical antibiotic cream or gel.

Other illnesses caused by staphsuch as a painful rash called impetigo or cellulitis, an infection of the deep layers of the skinare treated with antibiotics taken by mouth. NYU Langone doctors use the results of lab testing to identify the type of staph causing the infection, then choose the appropriate antibiotic.

Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for 7 to 10 days, although they may be taken for longer periods, depending on how the infection responds. Most people who take antibiotics for a staph infection feel better in two or three days. Still, it is important to finish the prescription. Otherwise, the medication may not kill all of the staph bacteria and the infection can return. If the infection comes back, it can be more severe and difficult to treat.

What Is The Best Treatment For Staph Infections

What is the best treatment for staph infections? Treatment of a staphinfection may include: Antibiotics. Your doctor may perform tests to identify of the staph bacteria behind your infection, and to help choose the antibiotic that will work best. Antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat staphinfections include certain cephalosporins, nafcillin or related antibiotics, sulfa drugs, or vancomycin.

What medications are used for staph infections? Some antibiotics used for treating staph infections include cephalexin, cefazolin, dicloxacillin, rifampin, nafcillin, and telavancin. In some cases, other drugs or a combination of these drugs may be used for treatment. Since MRSA is resistant to most antibiotics, the medicine needs to be selected professionally.

Does Neosporin kill staph? Neosporin can be effective against staph. It is able to kill Staphylococcus aureus , and other bacteria, however, it is not able to kill certain strains of Staphylococcus aureus such as strains with methicillin-resistance .

How long does staph take to heal? How long it takes for a staph skin infection to heal depends on the type of infection and whether a person gets treatment for it. A boil, for example, may take 10 to 20 days to heal without treatment, but treatment may speed up this process.

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What Kills Staph Infections Naturally

There are some natural things that have been used in the past to fight staph infections, like honey, essential oils, ginger, turmeric and garlic. Researchers are doing studies on these older antimicrobial agents . Interest in these substances is rising, in part because some germs have become resistant to some types of medications.

At this point in the research, though, its unwise to rely only on honey or garlic or anything of that nature for a cure. See your provider to make sure that youre diagnosed and treated correctly.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Youve probably heard about staph infections. You may have already had one. While they arent necessarily something to panic about, you do need to contact your healthcare provider if you have signs or symptoms of something being wrong. The most obvious staph infections are seen on the skin.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 06/07/2022.

References

Honey As A Treatment For Mrsa

As antibiotic resistance has become a growing concern, researchers have tested the effectiveness of other substances, including various types of honey, at helping to stop the growth of staph bacteria.

Manuka honey, in particular, has been found to have antimicrobial activity and to augment the effects of certain antibiotics in treating methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

But the use of honey in treating staph infections is still in the experimental stages. Simply slathering a possible skin infection with honey is unlikely to be effective and not recommended.

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Treatments For Staph Infection: Antibiotics Surgery And More

Most of the time, minor staph infections can be successfully eliminated. But serious cases may require powerful medicines.

Treatment options for an infection caused by staphylococcus bacteria depend on the type of infection you have, how severe it is, and where its located on or in your body. Staph can cause a variety of types of skin infections, as well as infections of the blood, bones, joints, heart, and lungs.

Serious staph infections can be life-threatening, and even minor infections can turn serious if not treated appropriately, so any symptoms of a skin infection caused by staph such as persistent skin redness, swelling, or sores should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

That being said, some minor skin infections will heal on their own and wont require any treatment other than keeping the skin clean and protected. Most other staph infections whether a skin infection or an internal infection will require treatment with antibiotics. And sometimes, surgery is necessary to treat a staph infection.

What Is The Dosage For Mupirocin

For the treatment of impetigo, a small amount of the ointment is applied to the affected area, usually three times daily . The area may be covered with a sterile gauze dressing. If there is no improvement in 3-5 days the doctor should be contacted to re-examine the infected area.

For other skin infections, the cream is applied to the affected area 3 times a day for 10 days, and the doctor should be contacted as well if there is no improvement after 3-5 days.

When mupirocin is used for treating intranasal Staphylococcus aureus that are resistant to other antibiotics, patients who are age 12 years and older require the application of about half of the ointment from a single-use tube of ointment into one nostril and the other half into the other nostril. This treatment is repeated twice daily for 5 days. Currently, there is not enough information to recommend use of mupirocin for the treatment of intranasal Staphylococcus aureus in children younger than 12 years of age.

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