Dermatologist Dr. Anne Marie Tremaine Explains Why You Should Choose Something Else
What do you reach for to treat an open cut or a wound? Thanks to Johnson & Johnson’s successful marketing, many people say Neosporin. While I do want you to use a product to keep the wound moist, you need to know why it shouldn’t be Neosporin.
Neosporin was created in the 1950s. However, it was not approvedfor use by the FDA until 1971. It is an over-the-counter topical antibiotic containingneomycin sulfate, polymyxin B, andbacitracin. So why do we dermatologistsin Naples, FL—and around the country—despise this product? It’s the neomycin!
Neomycin frequently causes allergicreactions of the skin called contact dermatitis. It can cause the skin tobecome red, scaly, and itchy. The more Neosporin you use, the worse the skinreaction gets. Neomycin is such a common allergen that it wasnamed Allergen of the Year in 2010. The goal of this award is to bringawareness to commonly used products that are under-recognized as common allergens.Polymyxin B and bacitracin can cause contact dermatitis as well.
It’s also important to understandthat Neosporin does not speed up wound healing compared to petrolatum. In 1996,the Journal of the American MedicalAssociation published a study comparing antibiotic ointment with plainpetrolatum jelly. There was no statistically significant difference in the rateof infection between the groups. The only differences seen between the twogroups was that a small number of patients in the antibiotic group developedallergic reactions. Meanwhile, no allergic reactions were reported in the petrolatumgroup.
In reality, the most importantcomponent of antibiotic ointments is the petrolatum. Therefore, please skip theover-the-counter antibiotics. Instead, just use the petrolatum ointment.
To find out more, contact Skin Wellness Physicians by calling (239) 732-0044 or send a message online.
Dr. Anne Marie Tremaine
FAQs
So why do we dermatologists in Naples, FL—and around the country—despise this product? It's the neomycin! Neomycin frequently causes allergic reactions of the skin called contact dermatitis. It can cause the skin to become red, scaly, and itchy.
Why do dermatologists say not to use Neosporin? ›
First, using it on noninfected skin will kill off the healthy bacteria you want on your skin and will let resistant stronger bad bacteria thrive. Also, neosporin is more commonly becoming a potent allergen. So much so it has been named allergen of the year in the past.
Why should you not use Neosporin on wounds? ›
While Neosporin is meant to stop infections, studies show it may actually make it take longer for certain wounds to heal, especially minor cuts and scrapes. Another potential problem is a skin rash or irritation that can happen from leaving Neosporin on the skin for too long.
What do doctors recommend instead of Neosporin? ›
When the skin is open, it is more prone to becoming sensitized to an allergen, so even if the patient wasn't allergic to neomycin previously, an allergy can develop late in life after prolonged exposure to Neosporin. For this reason, we often recommend Polysporin.
What do doctors say about Neosporin? ›
Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Rarely, use of this medication may result in other types of skin infections (such as fungal or other bacterial infections). Contact your doctor if you notice any unusual skin symptoms or if your condition does not improve.
What is the best ointment for open wounds? ›
An antibiotic cream, like Neosporin, may be used for extra antibacterial action, but Vaseline or another petroleum jelly-based product will also help protect the site. Bandage the wound to keep germs out, either with an adhesive bandage or a dressing and tape.
What to use if you can't use Neosporin? ›
NEOSPORIN® is most commonly a triple antibiotic that contains three antibiotic ingredients, including Bacitracin for 24-hour protection against infections. Bacitracin, meanwhile, is a single antibiotic ointment. If you have any allergies to neomycin or polymyxin B, Bacitracin could be used as an alternative.
What is the best antiseptic for open wounds? ›
Iodine. For more than a century, iodine has been regarded as one of the most efficacious antiseptic to reduce infectious complications and topical iodine forms have been used for wound treatment.
What heals wounds the fastest? ›
Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.
Is it good to put Vaseline on an open wound? ›
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. This will also help prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy.
Honey. Honey is one of the most widely studied natural remedies by clinical researchers, according to a 2012 research review . It may help heal minor wounds to prevent infections, and is sometimes applied as an alternative to bandages and other skin dressings.
What is a safe alternative to Neosporin? ›
- Bacitracin topical.
- SMZ-TMP DS.
- Triple Antibiotic.
- Co-trimoxazole.
- Septra.
- Septra DS.
Is Vaseline better than Neosporin for healing? ›
Another study reported that Neosporin was less effective in healing wounds than petroleum jelly (the inactive base ingredient of Neosporin).
Why do dermatologists say no to Neosporin? ›
Neomycin frequently causes allergic reactions of the skin called contact dermatitis. It can cause the skin to become red, scaly, and itchy. The more Neosporin you use, the worse the skin reaction gets. Neomycin is such a common allergen that it was named Allergen of the Year in 2010.
When should Neosporin be avoided? ›
Unless instructed by your healthcare provider, you should never use Neosporin or other antibacterial ointments on:
- A surgical wound.
- Any large area of skin.
- Deep cuts or wounds.
- Large burns.
- Skin infections caused by a fungus or a virus.
- Skin that's dry or cracked from winter weather.
How to draw out an infection from a wound? ›
If you have an infected wound, it's important to schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider. Don't try to treat it at home.
- Wash the skin around your wound thoroughly with antibacterial soap and water.
- Use clean tweezers to remove any dirt or debris in the wound.
- Use an antiseptic solution to clean your skin.
What is the best antibiotic ointment? ›
Rankings: Topical Antibiotics/Antiseptics
Rank | Brand | Sample Product |
---|
#1 Score: 100 | Neosporin | Buy on CVS.com |
#2 Score: 50 | Polysporin | Buy on CVS.com |
#3 Score: 25 | Hibiclens | Buy on CVS.com |
#4 Score: 20 | Betadine | Buy on CVS.com |
2 more rows
Why does Neosporin cause contact dermatitis? ›
Answer: Contact dermatitis to Neosporin is quite common and typically due to Neomycin which a very common cause of contact allergy. There should be no reason to "test" for sulfa allergy in this patient. I hope this is helpful.
Does Neosporin speed up healing? ›
There's no evidence that antibacterial ointments help minor wounds heal faster. If you're generally healthy and your wound is minor, it will probably heal just as well without Neosporin. Unless instructed by your healthcare provider, you should never use Neosporin or other antibacterial ointments on: A surgical wound.