Petroleum jelly products, such as Vaseline, can be good alternatives to bacitracin or Neosporin. The jelly keeps wounds from drying out, which can prevent or ease itching and other unpleasant symptoms.
What do dermatologists recommend instead of Neosporin?
For this reason, we often recommend Polysporin. Polysporin does not have neomycin, it just has polymixin and bacitracin. Although patients can be allergic to any medication, allergy to these medicines is very uncommon.
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. The more Neosporin you use, the worse the skin reaction gets.
Why do dermatologists use Vaseline instead of Neosporin?
Again, studies have shown that gentle daily soap/water cleansing + Vaseline is MORE effective against wound infections compared to a topical antibiotic such as Neosporin or bacitracin. Patients treated with Neosporin and bacitracin actually had a higher rate of allergic contact dermatitis that inhibited wound healing.
Bacitracin can be found in just about every over-the-counter antibiotic ointment on the market. It's an antibiotic that kills a broad range of bacteria that can be present in most wounds. In many cases, bacitracin is enough to kill any infections in the wound without the need for a prescription antibiotic.
Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment creates a breathable film that protects the wound from external influences while preventing the wound from drying out. This is clinically proven to promote faster wound healing and reduce the risk of scarring.
What is the fastest way to heal an infected wound?
2. Treat the Wound with a Topical Antibiotic. Infected cuts and scrapes heal much more slowly than those kept clean and infection-free. One of the best ointments to treat infection is NEOSPORIN® — the #1 doctor recommended brand of topical antibiotic in the US.
Don't use hydrogen peroxide or iodine to clean the cut. They are harmful to the skin and can actually delay healing. Don't leave a cut or scrape exposed to the air. A bandage can protect the area from rubbing against clothing and getting dirt and bacteria in it, while keeping the cut moist to heal faster.
Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.
Studies show that petroleum jelly is just as effective as an antibiotic ointment for non-infected wounds. Don't douse a minor wound with antiseptics like iodine or hydrogen peroxide. They're actually harmful to the skin and can delay healing.
Alternatives. Petroleum jelly products, such as Vaseline, can be good alternatives to bacitracin or Neosporin. The jelly keeps wounds from drying out, which can prevent or ease itching and other unpleasant symptoms.
But, says Macrene, it's worth considering making the switch to Aquaphor: "A study showed that using bacitracin or neomycin [both present in Neosporin] as compared to Aquaphor caused resistant bacteria in wounds." Aquaphor. Both derms agree: This is your best bet for wound care treatment.
THE BETTER CHOICE: Nutrasporin is a non-toxic, oil-free, petroleum-free all-purpose first-aid ointment for cuts, scrapes, rashes, infections, bites, and skin irritations; also relieves stings, burns, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sore throats, and even cold sores in record time.
What antibacterial ointment do dermatologists recommend?
POLYSPORIN® First Aid Antibiotic Ointment is the #1 Dermatologist Recommended First Aid Ointment. It is a double antibiotic, containing Bacitracin and Polymyxin B. It helps prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes and burns. It does not contain Neomycin.
Do not apply the ointment over large skin areas. Do not use on a deep cut, an animal bite, or a serious burn. Contact your doctor for instructions on how to treat these more severe skin injuries.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment® protects the skin to enhance the natural healing process and help prevent external irritants from reaching the wound. The minor wound and burn ointment has a sting-free formula that provides soothing relief to minor wounds, cuts, scrapes and burns.
Wet or moist treatment of wounds has been shown to promote re-epithelialization and result in reduced scar formation, as compared to treatment in a dry environment. The inflammatory reaction is reduced in the wet environment, thereby limiting injury progression.
You may have heard somewhere that letting your wound heal in dry air is the best way. However, medical research has shown that the opposite is true, and that creating moist wound conditions will not only accelerate the healing process, but also help to reduce the risk of scarring and scabs.
A handful of studies have found that when wounds are kept moist and covered, blood vessels regenerate faster and the number of cells that cause inflammation drop more rapidly than they do in wounds allowed to air out. It is best to keep a wound moist and covered for at least five days.
Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria.
What is the best thing to put on a wound that won't heal?
Compression dressings or specialty made garments helps wounds heal faster by limiting swelling, maximizes the tissues ability to receive the oxygenated blood, and helps to reduce pain.
Apply an OTC antibacterial ointment to the wound once or twice per day. Follow the instructions on the package. Keep your wound covered with clean gauze or an adhesive bandage during waking hours. You can leave it uncovered while you sleep if it isn't oozing or painful.
Avoid using hydrogen peroxide or iodine on the wound as these may cause skin irritation in some people. Stop using other antiseptic ointments if they cause skin irritation. Do not pick at the skin or the scab, as this can lead to scarring, slow healing, and increase the risk of infection.
Most small wounds heal naturally with time, but home remedies — such as aloe vera, antibacterial ointment, or honey — may speed up the healing process.