Sometimes a wound, blister, or scrape on the skin doesn't heal easily, does it? It starts to fester, turns red, and sometimes even hurts. The main reason for this is that bacteria enter the wound and cause an infection. This is when doctors give us a cream like Gentamicin. So today, let's talk about what Gentamicin is, how exactly to use it, and what other things you need to know about this medicine.
What kind of medicine is Gentamicin?
Simply put, Gentamicin is an antibiotic . It comes in the form of a cream or ointment that is applied to the skin. It belongs to a class of antibiotics called `Aminoglycoside`.
Its main function is to control and cure bacterial skin infections . The most important thing we need to understand here is that this only works on bacteria. That is, it does not cure fungal infections or viral infections on the skin. Therefore, you should only use this medicine if a doctor has examined you and confirmed that you have a bacterial infection.
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before prescribing Gentamicin to you, your doctor will need to know some information about you. It is important for your own safety to be honest and tell you exactly what you are taking.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Allergies you have | Be sure to tell your doctor if you are allergic to Gentamicin or other antibiotics, especially aminoglycosides. Also tell your doctor if you are allergic to other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Some medications can affect the baby during pregnancy, so it's important to tell your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Some medications can pass to the baby through breast milk, so if you are breastfeeding, it is essential to inform your doctor about this. |
How exactly do you use Gentamicin cream?
To get the most out of a medication, it's important to use it correctly. Here's how to use Gentamicin cream:
- First of all, this is for external use only. Do not take it orally or apply it to internal parts of the body for any reason.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after applying the medicine. This will prevent the infection from spreading to other areas.
- Apply a thin layer of the medicine to the infected area. Applying too much will not help the condition heal faster. Apply the amount prescribed by the doctor.
- After applying the medication, you can cover the area with a sterile gauze dressing if necessary. Ask your doctor for advice on this.
- Do not let this medicine get into your eyes. If you accidentally get it in your eyes, immediately rinse your eyes thoroughly with clean water.
- Take the medicine at the right time and for the right number of times as prescribed by the doctor.
- The most important thing is to complete the prescribed period. Even if the wound seems to be healing, use the medicine for the number of days your doctor tells you to. If you stop, the remaining bacteria can become stronger again and the infection can become worse than before.
If you are using this medicine on young children, talk to your pediatrician about it. In some cases, even if it is prescribed for children, special precautions may be required.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if you overdose on medicine?
Since this is a topical medication, the amount absorbed by the body is low. Therefore, the chance of an overdose is generally low. However, if someone accidentally ingests this cream or applies a very large amount to the skin, it is safest to seek medical advice immediately.
In an emergency, you can call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Their telephone number is 0112686143. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Side effects of the medicine
Like any medicine, Gentamicin can cause side effects in some people. Although most of these are minor, there are some things we should be aware of.
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Note: These symptoms are very unlikely to occur with a skin cream. However, they can be signs of a serious condition, so seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. | |
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| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Redness, itching, or slight skin irritation at the site of application. | |
Other things to be careful about
- If there is no improvement in your skin condition after about a week of using this medicine, tell your doctor.
- Do not share your medicine with others. Even if it seems to work for you, a doctor should decide whether it will work for someone else's skin infection.
- To prevent the spread of infection, avoid sharing your towels, bedding, etc. with others.
- While using this medication, ask your doctor before applying other skin products to the area.
How do you store medicine properly?
- Keep it in a safe place out of reach of small children at home.
- Store between 2 and 30 degrees Celsius (normal room temperature). Do not store in extreme heat or refrigerate or freeze.
- If the expiration date on the tube has passed, discard the medicine without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Gentamicin is an antibiotic cream that a doctor prescribes for bacterial skin infections.
- Before using this medicine, tell your doctor about any allergies you have and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying the medicine. Apply only a thin layer.
- Even if the wound seems to be healing, use the medicine for the full period prescribed by the doctor.
- If you experience any itching or redness where the medicine was applied, or if the condition does not improve within a week, tell your doctor.
- Never share your medicine with others.
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