Many people reach for Neosporin for cuts, minor wounds, burns, and scrapes.
Some wounds don’t need anantibioticand using one may increase the risk of an allergic reaction and antibiotic resistance.
Other, deeper wounds may need care that an antibiotic ointment is unable to provide.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
This includes the risk of antibiotic resistance and allergy.
Apply it continuously but lightly to keep the wound moist as it heals.
Use Vaseline from a tube rather than a jar to avoid contaminating it with germs.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin for Verywell Health
When Should You Not Use Neosporin?
But there are times when it should not be used.
However, Neosporin use can come with side effects and risks, some severe in rare cases.
Neosporin is generally safe but is typically unnecessary.
Proper wound care produces similar (and sometimes better) results without the use of a topical antibiotic.
Neosporin is not appropriate to use on large areas of injury, deep cuts, or severe burns.
These wounds need to be treated by a healthcare provider.
2016;11(11):CD011426.
JEur Acad Dermatol Venereol.
2021 Jan;35(1):247-255. doi: 10.1111/jdv.16965.
2021 Feb 3;3(1):dlaa114.
doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2013.12.979
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.Neosporin - What are the side effects of Neosporin?
2021 May 12;29(5):777-791.e6.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.How to treat minor cuts.
Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.Neosporin - What Is Neosporin And What Is It Used For?
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US).
Negut I, Grumezescu V, Grumezescu AM.Treatment strategies for infected wounds.Molecules.
2015;5(4):22. doi:10.7603/s40681-015-0022-9
