Antibiotics
There are many treatments for eczema however for more severe cases where there is a high risk of infection, such as when the skin cracks, blisters and/or bleeds, your doctor/dermatologist may suggest topical or oral antibiotics.
Infected eczema looks red and angry and is usually weepy with a yellowish crust. Pustules and small red spots may be present. The skin feels hot, itchy and sore. Scratching damages the skin and causes cracks and moisture which allow more bacteria to grow.
The most common form of infection in eczema is Staphylococcus aureus: it thrives on weepy/broken skin. Streptococci is another group of bacteria which may also lead to infection.
When the skin cracks, blisters and/or bleeds bacteria and germs can easily reach these areas of the skin thus causing infection. Getting an infection can cause the eczema to flare-up and the infection may infect other areas of eczema on the body too which can then be more difficult to treat.
Antibiotics prevent infection, pain and skin inflammation. They are prescribed to help build-up immunities which in turn prevent infection.
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If the infected area is quite significant your doctor/dermatologist will be keen to start you on a treatment of oral antibiotics almost immediately. If the infected area is relatively small then a topical antibiotic (cream/ointment/lotion) which is applied to the affected area may be prescribed instead. Topical antibiotics are most successful in cases where pustules are present and the skin is cracked: however topical treatments tend not to be as effective as oral treatments as they can cause allergic reactions. In more serious cases sometimes it is necessary to have intravenous treatment which would take place at a hospital. |
Oral antibiotics include:
- Penicillin
- Erythromycin
- Flucloxacillin
Topical antibiotics include:
- Fusidic acid
- Mupirocin
Antibiotics may be required for several months and in order to keep the infection and eczema under control.
Your doctor/dermatologist will provide you with a treatment programme relevant to your symptoms.
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 11 March 2011
Next Review Date: 29 September 2013
