Bactroban Cream for Bacterial Infections

Your doctor may prescribe Bactroban Cream if you have been diagnosed with a bacterial skin infection such as impetigo, or if you have an infected wound. You can easily recognize these infections because of their tale-tale symptoms: localized pain; swelling and redness; as well as fever and fatigue in more severe cases. They usually develop when harmful bacteria enter your skin and begin multiplying.

How Bactroban Cream Works

Bactroban Cream is a topical antibiotic medication that contains the active ingredient Mupirocin. It is most often used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Mupirocin affects the bacteria's production of certain proteins that are necessary for their survival. It causes the bacteria to produce abnormal and faulty proteins which ultimately kills the bacteria and clears up the infection. A thin layer of the cream should be applied directly to affected areas. Bactroban Cream is available by prescription only.

Bactroban Cream and Impetigo

Impetigo is a very common and highly contagious skin infection that is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Impetigo appears as red blisters or bumps on the face, usually around the nose and the mouth. The blisters may ooze or rupture and release an amber-colored fluid that dries and forms a honey-colored crust. Although impetigo can affect anyone, it is most often found in preschool-aged children. Impetigo can occur when the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that normally live on skin get into cuts, scrapes, or insect bites. It can also occur after someone has had chicken pox and can even develop on normal, healthy skin.

Before You Apply Bactroban Cream

Before using Bactroban Cream, ask your doctor if it is safe to apply if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Advise your doctor of other medical conditions and allergies you have and provide information regarding any OTC or Rx drugs you currently take or use to be certain there will not be any adverse reactions and include herbal remedies and vitamin supplements as well.

Precautions When Using Bactroban Cream

Do not use Bactroban Cream for very large open wounds, as absorbing too much of the active ingredient may be harmful to your kidneys. Be sure to continue use for as long as your doctor recommends; failure to do so may result in lower efficacy. Tell your doctor immediately if symptoms become worse or if they do not start improving after 3 to 5 days of treatment. Avoid contact with eyes, nose, and mouth.

Possible Bactroban Cream Side Effects

• Burning, itching, and stinging at the application site
• Headache
• Nausea

Other Topical Drugs Similar to Bactroban Cream

• Bactroban Ointment
• Fucidin Cream
• Neosporin Antibiotic Ointment