What Does Topical Antibiotic Therapy Treat?

These medicines are placed directly on affected skin. Depending on the product, they reduce bacteria on the surface or around hair follicles. A clinician may use them for localized impetigo, erythrasma, pitted keratolysis, or infected-looking follicular changes. Some topical antibiotics are also used in treatment plans for acne, rosacea, perioral dermatitis, or razor bumps; these conditions do not all result from a bacterial infection, so the reason for treatment matters. Read about [Impetigo](/conditions/impetigo/) and [Topical Antibiotic Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/topical-antibiotic-therapy/) for more context.

Apply only the prescribed amount to clean, dry skin and wash your hands before and after application. Keep the medicine away from eyes, lips, and inside the nose unless your clinician specifically directs otherwise. Do not share the tube, cover the area tightly, or continue beyond the advised course without checking in. Tell your clinician about a history of antibiotic allergy, eczema, or repeated skin infections. Seek a review if the area is not improving, keeps returning, or develops spreading redness.

Get prompt medical advice for rapidly spreading redness, increasing warmth, severe tenderness, fever, red streaks, or pus near the eye. Stop and seek urgent help for facial swelling, wheezing, faintness, or widespread hives after applying the medicine. A painful rash or recurrent sores may need a different diagnosis or treatment rather than more antibiotic cream.

Ask which condition the medicine is targeting, how often to apply it, how long to use it, and what to do if irritation develops. You can also ask whether [Acne](/conditions/acne/) or [Rosacea](/conditions/rosacea/) needs another part of the treatment plan.