Topical Antibacterials with Steroids

Topical antibacterials are used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, and they can come with steroids to relieve swelling, redness, inflammation, and itch.

Common preparations contain:

Common formulations include creams, ointments.

• Apply directly to the affected areas of the skin. Follow the instructions on your medicine label for information on how often you should apply the cream or ointment.
• Apply a thin layer to the affected area for the duration instructed by your doctor or stated on the medicine label. Applying too much may increase the risk of getting side effects, while using too little may decrease the effectiveness of the medication.
• Do not bandage or cover the area after applying the medicine unless directed by the doctor. Occlusive dressing (airtight covering) may increase the amount of steroid absorbed through the skin and increase the risk of side effects.
• One fingertip unit (FTU) is the amount of cream or ointment, squeezed out of a tube (with a standard 5 mm nozzle), from the tip of an adult’s index finger to the first crease of that finger.
• One FTU (about 0.5 grams) is enough to treat an area of skin two times the size of the adult’s hand. You may use this as a guide to decide the correct amount of cream or ointment to apply on the affected area.
• A single 15 grams tube of cream or ointment contains about 30 FTUs.

If you forget to apply a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. Do not apply excessively to make up for the missed dose.

You should complete each course of antibiotics even if you feel better as incomplete treatment might cause the infection to return or cause antibiotic resistance. When antibiotic resistance happens, the antibiotic will not be able to control the growth or kill the bacteria anymore.

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to these medications or any of the other ingredients of these medications
• Do not use these medications for long periods of time unless instructed by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions for how long to use it for.

Topical steroids are different in their effectiveness. Stronger steroids should be avoided on parts of the body where the skin is thinner or more delicate, such as the face. If you need to use different types of topical steroids, follow the instructions on the medication labels. The instructions will give you information on which part of the body the topical steroids can be used on. 

Some common side effects include increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight resulting in a skin rash, itching, redness, discolouration or severe sunburn. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Side effects, such as thinning of the skin, reddish stretch marks and acne can occur if used inappropriately for a long period of time.

If any of the side effects do not go away or are serious, please see your doctor.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.