Fucidin Cream Uses | What You Need to Know

Fucidin cream is used to treat bacteria and skin infections. Although it can be used to treat a variety of other skin condition, including dermatitis, its main use is to treat Eczema.

 Common conditions treated with Fucidin cream include:

• Infected Eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis
• Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores that can rupture, ooze, and form a yellow-brown crust
• Infected hair follicles often appear as small red bumps or pimples
• Infected cuts and wounds; minor cuts, scrapes, and surgical wounds that have become infected
• Infection around the nails.

Fucidin cream is a topical antibiotic medication that should only be used to treat infected skin conditions caused by bacteria.

It should not be used to treat:

• Acne
• Warts and verrucas
• Fungal infections like thrush or athlete’s foot
• Viral infections like cold sores
• Cysts
• Spots

Fucidin cream and Fucidin H cream are similar remedies for treating infected eczema. But they have a difference; let us explore each and find out.

 For Fucidin Cream, this medication contains fusidic acid as its active ingredient. This drug is used solely for its antibacterial properties, such as treating mild eczema or skin infection, treating skin that is severely cracked or broken, or treating eczema that isn’t particularly inflamed.

On the other hand, Fucidin H Cream is a version of Fucidin Cream that combines fusidic acid with hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid that reduces inflammation and itching. 

Fucidin H cream is a stronger treatment option that is beneficial for conditions that involve both bacterial infection and inflammation, such as inflamed eczema.

Another treatment option is Fucibet Cream, which is a prescription-only medicine. It contains two active ingredients: fusidic acid, used to fight bacterial infections, and betamethasone valerate, which reduces inflammation, redness, and itching.

While Fucidin is a versatile and effective treatment for various bacteria and skin infections, there is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about Fucidin cream uses. 

In this section, we will be focusing on the understanding of its uses and limitations to ensure proper application for maximum benefits. 

We will list the different conditions and infections that Fucidin can be used for, as well as the conditions that Fucidin cannot treat.

Can Fucidin cream be used to treat infected eczema?

Yes, it does. One of the primary uses of Fucidin Cream is to treat infected eczema or dermatitis.

Eczema is a common skin condition that affects a lot of individuals. It is sometimes referred to as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema. It results in itchy, red, and dry skin. If left untreated, it can become recurrent and worsen if infected.

Infected eczema occurs when eczema becomes complicated by bacterial infections. This may occur when the skin gets very dry and cracks or scratches. You will notice increased redness, swelling, and pus-filled blisters on the skin.

Fucidin helps treat eczema by combating bacterial infections by preventing bacterial growth, specifically staphylococcus aureus.

To use Fucidin effectively, first, clean the affected area with mild soap and warm water, then apply a thin layer of the cream two to three times daily. The typical treatment duration ranges from 7 to 14 days, but it is crucial to follow the full course even if symptoms improve earlier.

Monitor the infection and consult your doctor if there is no improvement within a week of use. Explore more Eczema treatments on Ashcroft pharmacy UK

Can Fucidin cream be used for impetigo?

Yes, Fucidin cream treats impetigo. Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection, although not usually serious. This infection primarily affects children. It is caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. 

Impetigo is characterized by red sores on the skin that quickly rupture. They ooze for a few days and then form a yellow-brown crust. Although this can be itchy, painful, and easily spread to other parts of your body, Fucidin cream contains fusidic acid, which is particularly effective against these bacteria.

To use Fucidin cream for impetigo, first clean the affected area gently with soap and water. Then, apply a thin layer of the cream directly to the sores two to three times daily for a duration of 7 to 10 days. You should continue using the cream for the full prescribed period to ensure the infection is completely eradicated and to prevent the spread of bacteria.

You should avoid covering the affected area with bandages unless instructed by a doctor. Then make sure that you wash your hands thoroughly after applying the cream to avoid spreading the infection to other parts of your body or other people.

Can Fucidin cream treat yeast infections such as thrush?

NO, its not recommended. The reason is:

Thrush, also known as candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by the overgrowth of candida albicans, a yeast that naturally resides in the body. The common symptoms of thrush include white patches in the mouth, throat, or tongue, soreness, and difficulty swallowing. It also affects other parts of the body, such as the genital, skin folds, and nail beds.

Fusidin cream, on the other hand, is an antibiotic cream containing fusidic acid, which is effective against specific bacterial illnesses.

However, fusidin cream does not treat fungal infections such as thrush. This is because thrush is caused by yeast, not germs.

Using an antibiotic cream, such as fusidin, on a fungal infection might exacerbate the problem by killing helpful bacteria that help keep yeast development under control, potentially leading to additional imbalance and worsening symptoms.

 For thrush, a short course of antifungal therapy is typically sufficient. These can be acquired over the counter without a prescription. The Ashcroft Pharmacy stocks a variety of appropriate anti-fungal thrush drugs; for more information, visit our dedicated thrush medications page.

Can you use Fucidin cream for fungal infections?

NO since Antifungal drugs are required for fungal infections since they particularly target the fungi that cause the infection. Using Fucidin cream to treat a fungal infection may worsen the illness by disrupting the balance of microorganisms and allowing the fungus to increase unchecked.

As a result, it's critical to use suitable antifungal medicines prescribed by a healthcare practitioner for fungal infections.

Is Fucidin cream good for spots and acne?

NO, for; Fucidin cream contains fusidic acid, is not a good option for treating spots or acne because its main purpose is to fight bacterial infections. Bacterial infections may be the source of certain spots and acne lesions, although many are not. The main causes of acne are usually inflammation, clogged pores, and excessive oil production.

These conditions are best treated with retinoids, salicylic acid, or benzoyl peroxide. For suitable spots and acne, please check our dedicated Acne treatments page.

Can you use Fucidin Cream for cold sores?

While Fucidin cream, containing fusidic acid, is effective against certain bacterial infections, it is not suitable for treating cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, typically appear as small, fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips and are highly contagious. Since Fucidin cream targets bacteria, it would not affect the herpes virus responsible for cold sores.

Can I use Fucidin cream for boils?

Yes, you can use Fucidin cream to treat boils caused by bacterial infections. Boils are painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the skin caused by diseased hair follicles or oil glands. Fusidic acid inhibits bacterial protein synthesis, which eliminates the microorganisms responsible for the infection.

Can You Use Fusidic Acid on broken skin?

Using fusidic acid or Fucidin cream on broken skin is acceptable. Creams containing fusidic acid are useful for treating infections and killing bacteria in cuts, scrapes, open wounds, and other conditions where the skin is broken, such as impetigo.

Can Fucidin cream be used for insect bites?

Fucidin cream, which includes the antibiotic fusidic acid, is usually suggested for treating insect bites once they have gotten infected with bacteria.

Itching, redness, and swelling are typical symptoms of insect bites caused by an allergic reaction to the bug's saliva or venom. These symptoms are typically treated with antihistamines, anti-itch lotions, or corticosteroids.

However, if an insect bite becomes secondarily infected, with symptoms such as increasing redness, warmth, pus, or severe pain, Fucidin cream may be used to treat the bacterial infection.

Should I use Fucidin cream during pregnancy?

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, Fucidin Cream is generally safe to use. It is applied topically and not significantly absorbed into the body, so it won't harm your baby or affect your pregnancy. It is also safe for breastfeeding women. However, always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

In Short,

Fucidin Cream is a prescription topical antibiotic containing fusidic acid, used to treat bacterial skin infections like eczema, dermatitis, impetigo, infected hair follicles, cuts, wounds, and nail infections. It inhibits bacterial growth by blocking protein synthesis.

Not suitable for acne, warts, fungal or viral infections, cysts, or non-infected spots, it must be applied to cleaned skin 2-3 times daily for 7-14 days. Fucidin H Cream, combining fusidic acid with hydrocortisone, treats both infection and inflammation. Always follow the prescribed treatment course and consult a doctor if there's no improvement within a week.

Sources

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atopic-eczema/

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fusidic-acid/

https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-eczema

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