# Do topical antibiotics contribute to the "superbug" problem?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-topical-antibiotics-contribute-to-the-superbug-problem/614639>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [March 3, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-topical-antibiotics-contribute-to-the-superbug-problem/614639 "2012-03-03T13:34:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\
**Post date:** [March 3, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-topical-antibiotics-contribute-to-the-superbug-problem/614639/1 "2012-03-03T13:34:01Z")

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Topical antibiotic ointments such as bacitracin & neomycin are easily available OTC.

Is there some particular reason why antibiotics can be applied externally without a prescription but not internally? Do topical antibiotic ointments not contribute to the super bug problem?

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**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-topical-antibiotics-contribute-to-the-superbug-problem/614639/2 "2012-03-05T07:00:50Z")

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[Antibiotic Ointments May Fuel Resistance and Spread of MRSA](http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/749666).

[Flesh-Eating Bacteria’s Rise Tied to Antibiotic Cream](http://www.myhealthnewsdaily.com/1680-rise-of-flesh-eating-bacteria-boosted-by-antibiotic-ointments.html). This article is about MRSA as well, but it has a much more entertaining title. The articles establish concerns but not rock solid evidence. Nonetheless, it is advised to thoroughly clean minor wounds and not rely solely on triple anti-biotic ointment.

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**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2012, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-topical-antibiotics-contribute-to-the-superbug-problem/614639/3 "2012-03-05T21:53:56Z")

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What about Triclosan in toothpaste?

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**Author:** ![dzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f9b8f/32.png) [@dzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dzero)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-topical-antibiotics-contribute-to-the-superbug-problem/614639/4 "2012-03-07T02:35:37Z")

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> [@thirdname](#):
>
> What about Triclosan in toothpaste?

I’m curious too.