- Neosporin — aka triple antibiotic ointment — is a topical medication that helps prevent infection.
- While Neosporin is safe for most people to use, it can sometimes cause an allergic reaction.
When you get a minor skin injury — like a small cut from cooking, a scraped knee, or a cat scratch — you might reach for Neosporin, a common over-the-counter first aid ointment.
Neosporin is a good option to keep on hand for those minor scrapes, cuts, and burns that are not worthy of going to the ER or clinic for treatment, says Dr. Samuel Hetz, Medical Director of Concept Medical.
But Neosporin isn't your only option for treating minor wounds, and in some cases, you may want to opt for another topical ointment.
Read on for more details on the benefits and drawbacks of Neosporin, how to use it to treat minor wounds, and when you might want to choose an alternative — or head to a doctor instead.
What's Neosporin?
Neosporin helps prevent infections when you have minor wounds on your skin. It contains three antibiotics that work together to kill bacteria:
Neosproin doesn't just kill bacteria, though. It can also reduce scarring and help your wound heal by keeping it clean and moist. Neosporin may help speed up the healing process when you apply it over the course of a few days, Hetz says.
Note: You can also find budget-friendly generic forms of Neosporin, usually called "triple antibiotic ointment." These medications contain the same infection-preventing antibiotics.
Neosporin and contact dermatitis
Neosporin is generally safe for most people to use.
However, if you have sensitive skin or allergies to any of its ingredients, you might have a reaction that could include:
You might also develop contact dermatitis, a specific type of painful, itchy rash. If you notice changes in your skin color and it feels itchy and inflamed after application, it could be due to neomycin — a common allergen, Hetz says.
You're more likely to develop contact dermatitis if you use neosporin often or in large amounts. You might notice changes to your skin just minutes after applying the ointment, but sometimes symptoms won't appear for one to three days.
Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:
- A burning or stinging feeling on your skin
- Itching
- Swelling
- Scaly or thickened skin
- Blisters
Note: Experts estimate at least 1%-6% of people develop contact dermatitis after using neomycin. Less frequently, bacitracin or polymyxin B can also cause the rash.
If you think you've developed contact dermatitis, you'll want to stop using Neosporin right away and check in with your doctor. They may prescribe medications like topical or oral steroids that help ease your symptoms and speed up recovery.
That said, the rash may take some time to clear — as long as a few weeks, even with treatment.
Neosporin vs. other first-aid ointments
If you're concerned about infections but your skin reacts to some of the ingredients in Neosporin, you have a few different OTC antibiotic ointments to choose from:
- Polysporin: This ointment contains bacitracin and polymyxin but not neomycin. You can also find it in a generic form, usually called "double antibiotic ointment."
- Bacitracin: This antibiotic ointment can help prevent infections on its own.
Evidence also suggests petroleum jelly-based ointments are just as effective at preventing infections as antibiotic ointments like Neosproin. What's more, they're less likely to irritate your skin. So if you have sensitive skin, you can safely treat minor wounds with ointments like:
Note: Vaseline might make an especially good choice if you have sensitive or easily irritated skin. According to one study, surgical wounds treated with Vaseline had less redness and swelling compared to those treated with Aquaphor.
When to use Neosporin
Though Neosporin helps prevent infections in small wounds, you shouldn't use it on large areas of your skin, open wounds such as animal bites, or deep puncture wounds, says Dr. Harikiran Chekuri, medical head of ClinicSpots.
You should only use Neosporin on your skin. Avoid getting it in your eyes or ears and do not take it by mouth, Chekuri says.
To treat a minor wound with Neosporin, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
- Wash your wound and the area around it with soap and water.
- Pat the wound dry with a clean towel.
- Spread a small amount of the ointment over your wound with a cotton swab — you only need a thin layer.
- Avoid touching the tip of the tube with your hands or any surfaces and put the cap back on.
- Cover the wound with a bandage or gauze.
- Wash your hands again.
You can reapply Neosporin one to three times daily for up to one week.
When to get medical attention
Some wounds need medical attention right away.
- Your wound is a deep puncture or cut.
- Your wound is from an animal bite.
- You have diabetes or are immunocompromised and prone to infections.
If you're treating a minor wound by keeping it clean and applying Neosporin, you'll still want to monitor it for signs of an infection.
Call a doctor right away if you notice any of the following signs:
- The skin around your wound feels warm to the touch.
- Your wound is still swollen or discolored after five days.
- Your pain gets worse or doesn't go away.
- Pus continuously drains from the wound.
- You have a fever.
Insider's takeaway
When you have a minor wound, you can use Neosporin to help prevent an infection. However, if you have sensitive skin or allergies to its ingredients, other topical ointments — like Vaseline or Aquaphor — offer effective alternatives.
No matter which topical ointment you use, keeping your wound clean and covered will go a long way towards helping the healing process.
That said, always be sure to check in with a healthcare professional if you notice signs of infection in any wound.