What is the best treatment for skin problems?

Skin diseases can sometimes resemble infections especially if they are red or swollen. Thus, it might feel like treating them with an antibiotic is a good idea. However, skin problems do not respond to antibiotics the same as infections. Therefore, attempting to cure them with antibiotics can do more harm than good. Read this article to learn about when you do not require antibiotics to treat skin problems. You will also learn about when to talk to a doctor and when you might need antibiotics.

Which antibiotics are best for skin infections?

Antibiotic cream for skin infection

Many topical skin infection products are available to patients over the counter with or without prescription. The indicators for topical anti-infectives, including acne vulgaris, fungal skin infections or viral skin infections are quite broad. In this section, we discuss treatment for the main bacterial skin infections. Bacteria can lead to different types of skin infections. Cellulitis, folliculitis, and impetigo are the most common skin infections caused by bacteria.

Antibiotic for folliculitis infection

Folliculitis is a disease of the hair follicles, resulting in red pimples. The patient might experience redness, tenderness, or swelling of the affected area. Folliculitis can also spread to the deeper parts of the hair follicles and pus might form or boils.

Folliculitis can form on any body part with hair such as face, scalp, thighs, underarms and groin area. This includes areas which are hairy or shaved. Mild folliculitis can be cured with topical antibiotics such as clindamycin, mupirocin, and erythromycin.

More severe infections of folliculitis, such as carbuncles and larger furuncles, could require a surgical cut and drainage of the affected area. After drainage, the patient cleans the area with antibacterial soap and applies antibiotic ointment to the affected area of the skin. Keep in mind that a doctor might prescribe oral antibiotics for the infection which could last for months mainly if folliculitis occurs repeatedly.

Antibiotic for impetigo skin infection

Impetigo, also known as Staphylococcus aureus is a contagious skin infection. Even though this infection is common in children aged two to five years, it can also occur in adults. Impetigo, typically spread through direct contact with another person who has the infection.

A patient might experience tenderness, itching, sores or blisters which can tear and form honey-colored crusts. The infection might affect different parts of the body such as the face, arms or legs. Parts of the body which are moist such as the armpits, neck folds and diaper areas might also be affected.

You can treat Impetigo with a topical ointment or oral antibiotic. The most common topical cream for this infection is Mupirocin. Oral antibiotics such as penicillins and cephalosporins are used to treat severe infections.

To prevent spreading the infection to other parts of the body, do not scratch the blisters or sores. Since impetigo is common in children, it is good to cut their fingernails and cover the affected areas of the body with bandages. It is also crucial to stop the spread of infection to other individuals in close contact by not sharing blankets, clothing and other linens.

What is the best antibiotic to treat cellulitis?

Antibiotic cream for cellulitis infection

Cellulitis is an infection which involves the outer layer of the skin(epidermis). Cellulitis is a disease that involves the epidermis of the skin. Cellulitis patients might experience pain, swelling, tenderness, warmth, and redness in the infected area. For severe cases of cellulitis, one might experience fever, tiredness, and a lowering of blood pressure.

If not treated pus might develop and cells might die in the affected area of the skin. Cellulitis can implicate any region of the body. However, most frequently affects the leg. It results from an injury to the surface, such as scratches or animal bites. These enable bacteria to enter the body and cause an infection. Besides cause of cellulitis is skin breakdown around the anal area; typically experienced in children.

Mouthed antibiotics are used to treat mild cellulitis; more severe conditions should be treated with intravenous antibiotics in a hospital. Medicines that can be used include cephalosporins, dicloxacillin, and vancomycin. Swelling can be reduced by raising the affected area, such as the legs or arms. Keep applying lotion to the skin and maintain good skin hygiene, to stop cellulitis from occurring again.

What antibiotics treat dermatitis?

Antibiotic for dermatitis skin infection

Antibiotics can be used to treat dermatitis, as people with this illness have high chances of developing infections. Dermatitis destroys the skin barrier, allowing bacteria and other microorganisms an opportunity to cause infection. Besides, the itching caused by Dermatitis motivates scratching, which can further damage the introduce bacteria.

Antibiotics may be ointment or systemic. Ointment preparations are applied directly to the skin, while systemic antibiotics are taken orally and treat the entire body. Antibiotics can result in side effects, and some antibiotics may interfere with other medications, including other medicines used to treat the condition. Individuals who are prescribed antibiotics should inform their doctor about all medications they are taking to avoid any adverse drug interactions.

When you do not need antibiotics to treat the skin problem?

When your skin is not infected?

People with eczema frequently have high amounts of bacteria on their skin. However, this does not mean that the germs are causing infection. Eczema causes red, itchy and scaly skin. Some doctors treat eczema with antibiotics that can either be a pill or liquid form.

Antibiotics do not stop the itching and the redness. Unfortunately, they also do not make your eczema less severe. Besides the skin bacteria you can control eczema better with lotions and other steps. To relieve the itching and swelling, ask your doctor about other remedies, such as creams and ointments.

Inflamed cysts usually do not need antibiotics to go away

Swollen, red and tender lumps under the skin are usually either inflamed cysts or small boils. One does not require antibiotics for either of these problems. Cysts and boils sometimes go away on their own. If you keep getting inflamed, or if they are large or painful, the doctor can open and drain the cyst or boil. After that, the two conditions can heal on their own without antibiotics.

Most of the surgical wounds do not need antibiotics to heal

Although infections happen at hospitals, the risk of infection after surgery is relatively low. Topical antibiotics for your skin do not reduce the risk of infection. However, some doctors authorize antibiotic creams or ointments to keep wounds from getting infected after surgery. Other practices such as proper handwashing by staff, work better to prevent infection. Vaseline and other petroleum jellies can help wounds heal faster. Inflammation and redness in your lower legs may not need nursing with antibiotics drugs. Presuming that one or both of your lower legs are bumped and red see a doctor and know the reason. In most cases, this condition is not because of an infection. That means you do not need antibiotics.

For example, your leg could be red or swollen because of varicose veins or blood clot in your leg or even an allergy. Leg inflammation could also be a symptom of heart disease. Only take antibiotics if there is a clear sign of an infection such as cellulitis.

Skin problems which require antibiotics to treat

You need antibiotics only if you have signs of skin infection. This may include:

What are the side effects of antibiotics?

If you have an infection, antibiotics can help you recover. However, medicines can also be harmful if you take them when you do not need them. The following are the dangers of antibiotics

Does amoxicillin treat skin infections?

Antibiotics for skin infection amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is a widely-used antibiotic drug which is used to treat certain infections that are caused by bacteria. It belongs to the penicillin group. Amoxicillin prevents bacteria from growing by killing them. It can treat infections caused by bacteria but not those caused by viruses. It can treat bronchitis, ear infection, skin infections, pneumonia, throat infection among other conditions.

How is amoxicillin taken?

Amoxicillin can be taken as a tablet, capsule, a suspension or a liquid preparation. It is usually taken either twice or thrice a day depending on the doctor’s instructions. It might be taken with or without food.

Side effects of amoxicillin

Like many forms of medication, amoxicillin can have unwanted side effects. Some of these are more common, and others are more severe. Signs of an allergic reaction include:

Anyone who is experiencing these signs should see a doctor.