You may use any kind of soap you want, but those of the antibacterial variety are recommended. Washing your hands before applying Bactroban serves to wash away dirt and bacteria before touching your infected area; washing after application serves to get the ointment off your hands so you don’t get any in your mouth or eyes.
Use a scent-free soap to wash your infected skin. Soaps with perfumes and artificial dyes can irritate your skin and may be painful if your skin infection is severe.
If you have impetigo, then you will need to apply Bactroban ointment twice a day for five days. You may cover it with gauze and reassess if there has not been any improvement in three to five days. If you have a bacterial skin infection, then make sure that you limit the area where you apply Bactroban. The area where you apply the Bactroban should be no bigger than the size of your palm (100cm2). Bactroban ointment won’t be completely absorbed by your skin when you first apply it; you should be able to see a thin layer of the cream on your skin. You can cover the infected area with a bandage after applying Bactroban if you wish as long as it is a relatively breathable material (such as gauze).
Apply the ointment three times a day for 10 days for a bacterial skin infection. Consult your primary care provider if you see no improvement in three to five days This is a good reason not to use Bactroban without a doctor’s prescription, even if you are in a country where you can get it over the counter. If you accidentally miss a dose of Bactroban, apply it as soon as you remember to do so unless it is already time for your next dose; in such a case, skip the missed dose. You should not use a double dose without your physician’s approval.
Your infection probably won’t be completely cleared up within three to five days of beginning Bactroban use, but there should be some visible improvement by then. Continue to use Bactroban until you can see your doctor unless it is making your infection worse.
It is possible that you could be allergic to some of the ingredients of Bactroban, in which case you should not use it. It is best to have your doctor make this determination. Additional side-effects are possible in young children, pregnant women, and the elderly. Ask a doctor about potential issues associated with these special cases. Serious side-effects that warrant immediate emergency medical attention include difficulty breathing, hives, wheezing, a severe rash, and itching or swelling of the mouth or throat.
If you must use Bactroban and another topical cream on the same area, try to apply them at least 30 minutes apart from one another. Using a lotion or cream on your skin could cause irritation, especially if it contains perfumes; this could make it difficult to tell whether Bactroban is helping your skin infection.
Do not resume using Bactroban without first clearing it with your doctor, as this could make your infection worse in certain situations (such as promoting antibiotic resistance). Wait a couple of days after finishing your prescribed run of Bactroban use before deciding that your infection hasn’t cleared up.
