Do you know exactly what topical antibiotic cream is? (Topical Antibiotics) Let's talk!

When you have a minor injury, a skin burn, or maybe an eye infection or an ear infection, you apply a cream or ointment from the pharmacy, right? We simply call these `Topical Antibiotics`. That is, antibiotics that are applied to the outside of the body. But there are mistakes that many of us make unknowingly when using these. Because of those mistakes, sometimes the disease can get worse instead of getting better. So today, let's talk about this simply, just like you would tell a friend.

What are these Topical Antibiotics?

Simply put, these are medications that are applied to the outside of the body, i.e. the skin, eyes, or ears, to treat bacterial infections. These belong to the category of antibiotics. Antibiotics either kill bacteria directly or stop them from multiplying. Either way, the end result is that the bacteria are killed and the infection is cured. The most important thing is that these medications only work for bacterial infections . They won't work for viral or fungal infections. Imagine, when we take oral antibiotics, they go all over the body. It's like declaring a state of emergency for the whole country and sending the army everywhere. But these topical medications aren't like that. They only work where the infection is. That's like sending the army to where there's a war. So the medicine goes to unwanted places and has fewer side effects.

Where are these mainly used?

We can divide these into three main categories based on where we use them. To understand this clearly, look at the table below.

What are the benefits of using topical antibiotics?

There are several clear benefits to using these medications.

• Treating the infection directly: Because the medicine goes directly to the site of the infection , it is more effective than oral medication. The infection can be controlled quickly.
• Avoiding some side effects : Many oral antibiotics can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. However, topical medications do not cause these digestive problems.
• Stopping infections early: These help control a small wound from the start, preventing it from festering and becoming a major infection.

So aren't there any disadvantages to this?

Along with the advantages, there are also some disadvantages that we should be aware of.

• Limited effectiveness : Over-the-counter (OTC) creams , especially those that can be purchased at the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, don't work very well against most common types of bacteria . However, prescription medications are much stronger and more effective.
• Risk of side effects: Some people may experience redness, itching, and small blisters when they apply these medications. This could be an allergic reaction. This risk is especially high for some creams that can be purchased over the counter at pharmacies.

Is the cream you buy from the pharmacy better? Or is petroleum jelly better?

This is something that is important to many people. When you have a small scrape or a minor wound, do you run to the pharmacy and get an antibiotic cream? But did you know that many times doctors recommend using a regular petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, instead? Why is that? The main thing that is needed for a minor wound to heal is to keep it clean and moisturized. Petroleum jelly does exactly this.

• It creates a protective layer over the wound.
• Therefore, it prevents germs from entering from outside.
• It helps the skin heal faster by preserving the wound's natural moisture.
• Most importantly, the risk of allergic reactions is much lower than with creams you can buy at the pharmacy.

Research has even found that petroleum jelly can be used to treat minor wounds without the risk of side effects, just as effective as some over-the-counter antibiotic creams.

Things to be aware of when using this medicine

If a doctor prescribes a medication like this for you, there are a few things you should definitely be careful about when using it.

Use as directed by the doctor.

This is the most important thing. Use the medicine exactly as the doctor says, for the exact amount, for the exact number of days, and for the exact number of times the doctor says. Don't stop using the medicine as soon as you feel a little better. Just think, when you start using the medicine, the weak bacteria die first. But some strong, tough bacteria may remain. If you stop using the medicine, those strong bacteria that remain can multiply again and cause an even worse infection. What's even more dangerous is that when you don't use the medicine properly, the bacteria can 'get used to' the medicine and change their nature to be resistant to it. We call this antibiotic resistance . If you get this kind of infection again later, the old medicine may not work. It's a serious health problem for the whole world.

Don't put eye medicine in your ears!

This is a serious mistake that many people make. Never use a medicine prescribed for one area for another.

• Eye drops) For the eyes only.
• Ear drops are for the ears only.
• The cream is only for the skin.

The eyes are very sensitive organs. Medicines used for the eyes are made very cleanly and in a way that is suitable for the eyes. If the ingredients in a medicine used for the ears get into the eyes, they can damage the eyes and even cause vision loss. Therefore, do not use these interchangeably. Also, do not give your medicine to someone else, or use someone else's medicine yourself.

When should I see a doctor?

Usually, the infection should clear up within a few days of using this medicine. However, in the following cases, you should definitely see your doctor.Skin infections, eye infections, and ear infections are all very common. There are hundreds of creams in pharmacies that claim to be effective for these conditions. So it's normal to be confused about which one to use. Topical Antibiotics, antibiotics, skin infections, eye diseases, ear infections, antibiotic cream, skin infection, antibiotic resistance, petroleum jelly, sepsis, ETU