Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Using Bactroban Correctly
• Part 2 of 2: Continuing Treatment
• Tips
• Warnings

Bactroban (also known as Mupirocin) is a topical (specifically to the skin) antibiotic used to treat certain types of bacterial skin infections such as impetigo and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. If you have a skin infection, you should take steps to get rid of it before the infection spreads to other parts of the body or spreads to friends and family. Bactroban can be purchased with a prescription, but in some countries it is sold without it. For Bactroban to work properly, you must know how to apply it correctly.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Using Bactroban Correctly

1. 1 Wash your hands. Before (and after) applying Bactroban to your skin, you should wash your hands with warm water and soap. Dry your hands thoroughly before applying the antibiotic to your skin. Lather your hands until lather and lather your palms (back and front) and fingers well.
   • You can use any kind of soap to wash your hands, but it is better to let it be antibacterial.
   • Washing your hands before applying Bactroban is essential to rinse off any dirt and bacteria that may enter the infected area. The need to wash your hands after applying Bactroban is due to the fact that you need to wash off the ointment from your hands so that it does not get into your mouth or eyes.
2. 2 Wash the affected skin area. Wash it in the same way as your hands - with warm water and soap. Dry the area thoroughly with a towel or clean cloth before applying Bactroban to your skin. If the infection is located in a hard-to-reach area, then this step will be easier to complete while showering.
   • Wash the affected area with an unscented soap. If your infection is severe, then scented soaps with artificial colors can irritate the skin and cause pain.
3. 3 Apply Bactroban to your skin. First, you need to squeeze a small amount of ointment from the tube onto your fingers or palm, and then evenly apply the ointment to the affected area of ​​the skin. Usually a very small amount of ointment is enough. Follow your doctor's orders or package directions.
   • As a rule, Bactroban is recommended to be applied three times a day, but only if the doctor's instructions do not indicate otherwise.
   • When applied for the first time, the skin will not completely absorb the ointment, it will be noticeable by a small thin layer that appears on the skin.
   • If you wish, after applying Bactroban, you can cover the treated area with a bandage. The main thing is that the material from which the bandage is made can allow air to pass through (for example, gauze).
4. 4 Follow the directions and finish applying the ointment. It is very important that you apply Bactroban for the entire period that your doctor tells you (usually about 10 days) or for the period indicated in the instructions for use. If you stop applying the ointment early, deciding that the infection has already passed, it can come back many times stronger and resist the action of antibiotics.
   • It is for this reason that you should not use Bactroban without a doctor's recommendation, even if it is sold without a prescription in your country.
   • If you accidentally miss a dose of Bactroban, apply it as soon as you remember, unless, of course, it's the turn of the next dose. If so, skip the missed dose. Do not double dose without your doctor's consent.

Part 2 of 2: Continuing Treatment

1. 1 Assess your condition after 3-5 days. Examine your skin for physical signs of improvement. If you do not see any changes or the infection has worsened, see your doctor immediately. This may indicate that your infection is not susceptible to Mupirocin, which means that Bactroban will not help you.
   • Most likely, after 3-5 days, the infection will not completely disappear, but by this time there should already be some visible improvements.
   • Continue to use Bactroban until your next doctor's appointment or if symptoms worsen.
2. 2 Beware of side effects. The following are possible side effects of using Bactroban that you should watch out for: dryness, irritation, itching, burning, skin redness and blistering. If you experience any of these symptoms while using Bactroban, stop applying the ointment and see your doctor so he / she can evaluate your response to the medication.
   • You may be allergic to one of the ingredients in Bactroban. If so, then you shouldn't use it. This solution is best left to your doctor.
   • Additional side effects are possible in young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Consult your doctor about the problems that may arise in these cases.
   • Serious side effects that need immediate emergency medical attention include shortness of breath, allergic rash, wheezing, severe rash, itching or swelling of the mouth or throat.
3. 3 Do not use Bactroban with other ointments. Although it is not known that Bactroban and Mupirocin react badly to other ointments, do not apply other creams, lotions, or ointments to the same area of ​​skin where you apply Bactroban, as this may reduce its effectiveness.
   • If you need to apply Bactroban and another cream to the same skin area, apply them at least 30 minutes apart.
   • Using a lotion or cream can irritate the skin, especially if it contains fragrances. This makes it harder for you to determine if Bactroban is actually helping against skin infections.
4. 4 Reassess your condition. When the prescribed period of use of Bactroban has passed, examine the skin area and make sure that there are no more signs of infection. If the infection has not completely disappeared (and you have already finished taking Bactroban), then see your doctor.
   • Do not restart using Bactroban without first talking to your doctor, as this can sometimes worsen the infection (lead to antibiotic resistance).
   • Wait a few days after you stop using Bactroban before deciding whether the infection is gone or not.

Tips

• Tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, or herbal medicines.
• If you have used other creams to treat the infection, then before you start applying Bactroban, you must stop using them (of course, if your doctor has not approved the use of both).
• Store Bactroban at 20-25 degrees Celsius (and preferably not in the bathroom).

Warnings

• Do not use Bactroban more often or for longer than directed by your doctor, as this may cause the infection to become resistant to antibiotics.
• Avoid getting Bactroban in your mouth, nose, or eyes. If this does happen, rinse your mouth, nose, or eyes with clean water.
• Do not apply Bactroban to large open wounds or skin lesions.
• Do not use Bactroban if you have kidney problems. In such patients, a reaction to the inactive components of the ointment may occur.