Neosporin for Cut Treatment

Neosporin is an antibacterial ointment that can help keep a cut from getting infected, but it should not be used on every type of open wound. Some wounds don't need an antibiotic and treating them with one can add to the risk of allergic reaction and antibiotic resistance. Other, deeper wounds may need care that antibiotic ointment doesn't provide.

This article explains what Neosporin is, the types of wounds you can treat with it, and the side effects of Neosporin. It also discusses when to see a healthcare provider instead of treating a cut at home.

When to Use Neosporin

Neosporin is an over-the-counter (OTC) triple-antibiotic ointment. It contains three antibacterial agents: neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin.

Triple-antibiotic ointments are commonly used to prevent infection and encourage healing. A triple-antibiotic ointment may help minor cuts and scrapes heal quickly and with less pain. However, the ointments are not necessary for every kind of wound.

You can often get the same results by bandaging the cut, keeping it moist, and changing the dressing often.

Neosporin vs. Petroleum Jelly

An antibiotic ointment like Neosporin is petroleum jelly (petrolatum) with antibiotics added to it. A 2021 study compared the use of Vaseline, a petroleum jelly, with Neosporin in a small group of adults.

The researchers found that the people who used Neosporin had slower wound healing times. They also found higher levels of healing-related genetic activity in the wounds treated with Vaseline (though some types of gene expression were higher in the Neosporin group).

The researchers said their work supports the importance of limiting antibiotic use when it's not necessary, in order to avoid antibiotic resistance. They note that more study is needed.

Neosporin vs. Bacitracin

Bacitracin ointment contains only bacitracin as its active ingredient. It is not a triple-antibiotic product like Neosporin. It may be a better option for people who are allergic to the neomycin component of Neosporin.

Use Neosporin in situations when healing may prove slow due to underlying health problems or the injury itself, and when you are more concerned about infection, since Neosporin has more antimicrobial properties than Bacitracin does.

Neosporin Side Effects and Considerations

Neosporin can have side effects, and you should know some important things before you use it.

Some people develop an allergic reaction to Neosporin that causes redness, itching, and burning of their skin (contact dermatitis). A 2021 study of 231 people compared Neosporin and an antibiotic-free gel called Stratamed used after dermatology procedures and found fewer cases of contact dermatitis when Stratamed was used instead.

If a person has an allergic reaction to Neosporin, a double-antibiotic ointment like Polymyxin (which only has bacitracin and polymyxin in it) can be used instead. Another primary concern about Neosporin is that using the product too much or too long may lead to the antibiotics not working as well or not working at all (antibiotic resistance).

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria are no longer effectively "wiped out" by the antibiotics used to treat them. This can happen after they have been exposed to the antibiotic many times.

For example, newer recommendations to limit or avoid Neosporin and other topical antibiotic use focus on preventing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) when treating skin conditions like impetigo that can be MRSA-related.

How to Dress a Wound

Treating a minor cut or scratch is mostly about keeping it clean—but the only thing you really need for this is water.

Here are step-by-step instructions for caring for a wound at home:

• First, rinse the wound with water to remove all dirt and particles. These substances can be sources of germs that lead to infection.
  
• Soap can help if the wound is grimy. Make sure that any grit or dirt is thoroughly rinsed away. Do not use alcohol, iodine, peroxide, or anything harsh. These products can damage the tissues and delay healing.
• After cleansing, decide whether to apply a thin layer of Neosporin or just a little petroleum jelly to keep the skin moist.
  
• Next, dress the wound with an adhesive bandage or a sterile dressing.
• Change the dressing every day. You must change it more often if the bandage gets dirty or wet.
• Once the wound has healed and there is no more exposed tissue, remove the bandage.
• Do not pick the scab; just let it fall off on its own.

Summary

Neosporin is a triple antibiotic ointment available at most pharmacies and grocery stores without a prescription. Neosporin ointment can help treat minor cuts, abrasions, and burns and may help to speed up healing and ease the pain.

However, proper wound care can do the same without needing a topical antibiotic, which has side effects and risks.

Neosporin is generally safe but is not always necessary. It's also not appropriate to use on large areas of injury or deep cuts or burns. These wounds need to be treated by a healthcare provider.