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Local antibiotics in dermatology
Author(s) -
Gelmetti Carlo
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
dermatologic therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1529-8019
pISSN - 1396-0296
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8019.2008.00190.x
Subject(s) - medicine , fusidic acid , antibiotics , dermatology , impetigo , mupirocin , atopic dermatitis , bacitracin , acne , skin infection , systemic antibiotics , topical medication , staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , bacteria , glaucoma , biology , ophthalmology , genetics
Although the vast majority of skin infection must be treated with systemic antibiotics, topical antibiotics are used overwhelmingly in the world, often as self‐prescribed medications without taking into account the sensitivity of the presumed bacteria. Dermatologists are aware that different types of topical antibiotics kill different species of bacteria and tend to be more specific in their prescriptions. At present local antibiotics are advised to treat minor superficial uncomplicated skin infections (e.g., impetigo) and to prevent bacterial infections caused into minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. The role of topical antibiotics in the management of acne and atopic dermatitis is controversial. Retapamulin, a novel topical antibacterial agent, will probably replace the use of the old mupirocin and fusidic acid.