Your child's doctor also may suggest using a small amount of antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. The ointment keeps a heavy scab from forming and may reduce the size of a scar.
Antibiotic ointments such as bacitracin and Neosporin may slightly reduce the risk of wound infection and scarring. However, other options may work as well and present fewer risks. Most people do not need to use special ointments on minor injuries as long as they keep their wounds clean.
Gently wash the area with mild soap and water to keep out germs and remove debris. To help the injured skin heal, use petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist. Petroleum jelly prevents the wound from drying out and forming a scab; wounds with scabs take longer to heal.
Topical antibiotics can aggravate open wounds, hindering the normal wound-healing process.
Wounds typically heal faster when you keep them moist with a wound care cream or petroleum jelly compared to if you leave them dry. Moisture helps new skin cells form and repair the wound. This may also apply to scabs.
It's also important to understand that Neosporin does not speed up wound healing compared to petrolatum.
Keep it moist
This will help prevent cracking of the scab as it heals. You could also cover it with a small amount of antibiotic ointment to help the healing process. While antibiotic ointment is not always recommended, it can help minimize scarring by keeping the wound moist and reducing bacterial contamination.
Dr. Coley recommends skipping the antibiotics if the wound is not showing any signs of an infection and recommends that individuals employ the following measures: Keep the skin injury clean: Wash hands before touching the wound, and gently wash the wound daily with mild soap and water to keep out germs.
Therefore, knowing that one of the major complications of wound healing is infection, the correct use of antibiotics can speed up wound healing and significantly reduce health care costs [21].
Myth #3: A topical antibiotic cream improves wound healing.
A study comparing white petroleum ointments (such as Vaseline or Aquaphor) with an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin, Neosporin or Bacitracin) showed no significant difference in wound infection rate.
Keeping a wound clean and covering it with a layer of petroleum jelly, such as plain Vaseline, can retain moisture and prevent a wound from scabbing over.
But if you do end up with a scab, the wound will heal more quickly. It's important to keep wounds moist by dabbing them with petroleum jelly when you change the bandage each day. A dry bandage will keep dirt and bacteria away, and petroleum jelly will help keep the wound moist.
However, most dermatologists do not recommend using Neosporin. Neosporin contains a mixture of 3 topical antibacterial medications: Neomycin, polymixin, and bacitracin. Neomycin is one of the most common causes of an allergic contact dermatitis.
If you are using the ointment or cream, apply a small amount of the medication in a thin layer on the skin, usually 1 to 3 times daily or as directed by your doctor. Rub in gently if your condition permits.
Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment creates a breathable film that protects the wound from external influences while preventing the wound from drying out. This is clinically proven to promote faster wound healing and reduce the risk of scarring. The Hansaplast Wound Healing Ointment is very skin friendly.
The participants either applied or didn't apply a topical broad-spectrum antibiotic following every skin wound they received. To the surprise of the researchers, the majority of the antibiotic users experienced slower healing.
Fresh fruits and vegetables eaten daily will also supply your body with other nutrients essential to wound healing such as vitamin A, copper and zinc. It may help to supplement your diet with extra vitamin C. Keep your wound dressed. Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm.
As the wound begins to dry, a crust starts to form in the outer layer. If the crust is yellowish and if there is a formation of pimples on or near the wound, it could be septic. Sores that look like blisters. If there is a formation of sores which look like pockets of fluid around the area, they could be septic.
Bacitracin can be found in just about every over-the-counter antibiotic ointment on the market. It's an antibiotic that kills a broad range of bacteria that can be present in most wounds. In many cases, bacitracin is enough to kill any infections in the wound without the need for a prescription antibiotic.
Over-the-counter topical antibiotics aren't usually effective against many types of common bacteria. But prescription topical antibiotics are usually much more effective. They have a risk of side effects. Many topical antibiotics, especially common over-the-counter ones, can cause irritation or reactions.
Once your cut or wound has been cleaned, the next step is to apply antibiotic ointment, such as NEOSPORIN® First Aid Antibiotic Ointment. Apply a thin layer to your wound to kill bacteria and stop infection before it starts.
One tip for taking care of scars is to use a topical ointment. Cocoa butter cream and Vaseline are most often used to help reduce the appearance of scars. Applying the ointment daily will help heal scars but will not make them invisible.
Application of a triple antibiotic ointment (such as over-the-counter Bacitracin, Neosporin or Polysporin) three times a day to the wound for a full three weeks helps prevent infection and creates a better foundation for improved long-term scar appearance.