What is Fucidin cream used for. How does Fucidin cream treat bacterial skin infections. Can Fucidin cream be used for yeast infections. What are the differences between Fucidin cream and Fucidin H cream. How effective is Fucidin cream for treating infected eczema.

Understanding Fucidin Cream: A Powerful Antibiotic Treatment

Fucidin cream is a prescription-only topical medication containing fusidic acid, a potent antibiotic used to combat various bacterial skin infections. This 2% formulation is widely recognized for its effectiveness in treating infected eczema, dermatitis, and other inflammatory skin conditions caused by bacteria.

Unlike over-the-counter options, Fucidin cream requires a prescription from a healthcare professional, ensuring its appropriate use for specific skin issues. The cream’s targeted antibiotic action makes it a go-to choice for many dermatological concerns, but it’s crucial to understand its proper applications and limitations.

Key Applications of Fucidin Cream in Dermatology

Fucidin cream’s versatility extends to several skin conditions, making it a valuable asset in dermatological treatment. Here are the primary uses of Fucidin cream:

• Infected eczema and dermatitis
• Impetigo
• Infected hair follicles (folliculitis)
• Infected wounds
• Infections around the nails (paronychia)
• Infected psoriasis

It’s important to note that while Fucidin cream is highly effective for bacterial infections, it is not suitable for treating viral or fungal skin conditions. This specificity underscores the importance of proper diagnosis before treatment.

Fucidin Cream vs. Fucidin H Cream: Understanding the Differences

When exploring treatment options, patients often encounter both Fucidin cream and Fucidin H cream. While they may sound similar, there are key differences between these two formulations:

• Fucidin cream contains 2% fusidic acid as its sole active ingredient
• Fucidin H cream combines fusidic acid with hydrocortisone, a mild steroid

The addition of hydrocortisone in Fucidin H cream provides enhanced anti-inflammatory effects, making it more suitable for severe infections or highly inflamed skin conditions. Regular Fucidin cream, on the other hand, is ideal for milder infections or cases where the use of steroids may not be appropriate.

When to Choose Fucidin Cream Over Fucidin H Cream

Selecting the right formulation depends on the severity and nature of the skin condition. Fucidin cream is generally preferred for:

• Mild eczema or skin infections
• Treating severely cracked or broken skin
• Eczema without significant inflammation

For more severe or persistently inflamed conditions, Fucidin H cream may be recommended. Always consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific situation.

The Effectiveness of Fucidin Cream for Infected Eczema

Infected eczema is one of the primary conditions for which Fucidin cream is prescribed. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, and inflamed skin. When eczema becomes infected, it can lead to more severe symptoms and complications.

Fucidin cream’s antibiotic properties make it highly effective in treating infected eczema by:

1. Eliminating the bacterial infection causing the exacerbation
2. Reducing inflammation and associated symptoms
3. Promoting healing of the affected skin

Signs that eczema may be infected include increased redness, warmth, tenderness, and the presence of pus or sticky discharge. In such cases, prompt treatment with Fucidin cream can prevent the infection from worsening and alleviate discomfort.

Exploring Fucidin Cream’s Role in Treating Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection that commonly affects children. Fucidin cream has shown remarkable efficacy in treating this condition. The cream’s antibiotic action targets the Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria responsible for impetigo, effectively clearing the infection and promoting skin healing.

How Fucidin Cream Combats Impetigo

When applied to impetigo-affected areas, Fucidin cream works by:

• Penetrating the skin to reach the site of infection
• Inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, preventing bacterial growth and reproduction
• Reducing the formation of new blisters and sores
• Accelerating the healing process of existing lesions

Regular application of Fucidin cream as prescribed can lead to significant improvement in impetigo symptoms within a few days, though it’s essential to complete the full course of treatment to prevent recurrence.

Fucidin Cream for Folliculitis and Other Hair Follicle Infections

Folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles often caused by bacterial infection, is another condition where Fucidin cream proves beneficial. The cream’s ability to penetrate the skin and target bacteria makes it an effective treatment for various forms of folliculitis, including:

• Bacterial folliculitis
• Hot tub folliculitis
• Barber’s itch (pseudofolliculitis barbae)

By applying Fucidin cream to affected areas, patients can experience relief from symptoms such as redness, swelling, and discomfort associated with infected hair follicles. The cream’s targeted action helps eliminate the underlying bacterial cause, promoting faster healing and preventing the spread of infection to surrounding follicles.

Limitations of Fucidin Cream: What It Can’t Treat

While Fucidin cream is highly effective for many bacterial skin infections, it’s crucial to understand its limitations. The cream is not suitable for treating:

• Acne vulgaris
• Viral infections (e.g., cold sores, herpes)
• Fungal infections (e.g., athlete’s foot, ringworm)
• Warts and verrucas
• Boils and cysts

Attempting to use Fucidin cream for these conditions will not only be ineffective but may also delay appropriate treatment. It’s always best to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and suitable treatment plan for any skin condition.

Common Misconceptions About Fucidin Cream Use

Some patients mistakenly believe that Fucidin cream can treat all types of skin infections or irritations. However, its specificity to bacterial infections means it won’t be effective against:

• Yeast infections (such as candidiasis)
• Allergic reactions
• Non-infected inflammatory skin conditions

Understanding these limitations helps ensure that Fucidin cream is used appropriately and effectively, maximizing its benefits for suitable conditions while avoiding unnecessary application for unrelated skin issues.

Proper Application and Usage of Fucidin Cream

To maximize the effectiveness of Fucidin cream and minimize the risk of side effects, it’s essential to use the medication correctly. Here are some guidelines for proper application:

1. Clean and dry the affected area before application
2. Apply a thin layer of cream to the infected skin
3. Gently massage the cream into the skin until absorbed
4. Wash your hands thoroughly after application (unless treating hand infections)
5. Follow the prescribed frequency and duration of treatment

Typically, Fucidin cream is applied 3-4 times daily, but always adhere to your healthcare provider’s instructions. It’s crucial to complete the full course of treatment, even if symptoms improve, to prevent the recurrence of infection and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Precautions and Potential Side Effects

While Fucidin cream is generally well-tolerated, some users may experience side effects. Common reactions include:

• Mild skin irritation or redness at the application site
• Itching or burning sensation
• Dry skin

If these symptoms persist or worsen, or if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction, discontinue use and consult your healthcare provider immediately. It’s also important to avoid getting the cream in your eyes, nose, or mouth, and to use caution when applying it to large areas of skin or for extended periods.

Comparing Fucidin Cream to Other Topical Antibiotics

Fucidin cream is one of several topical antibiotics available for treating skin infections. Understanding how it compares to other options can help patients and healthcare providers make informed decisions about treatment. Here’s a brief comparison:

• Mupirocin (Bactroban): Similar to Fucidin in effectiveness for impetigo and some other bacterial infections, but may be preferred for MRSA infections
• Neomycin: Effective against a wide range of bacteria but carries a higher risk of allergic reactions
• Bacitracin: Often used for minor cuts and scrapes, but less effective for more severe infections compared to Fucidin
• Polymyxin B: Commonly combined with other antibiotics in over-the-counter preparations, but less potent than Fucidin for serious infections

Fucidin cream’s unique formulation and effectiveness against Staphylococcus aureus make it a preferred choice for many skin infections, especially when other antibiotics have proven ineffective.

Advantages of Fucidin Cream

Several factors contribute to Fucidin cream’s popularity among healthcare providers:

• High efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of skin infections
• Low risk of antibiotic resistance compared to some other topical antibiotics
• Excellent skin penetration, allowing it to reach deeper infections
• Generally well-tolerated with minimal side effects

These advantages often make Fucidin cream a first-line treatment for various bacterial skin infections, particularly in cases where other antibiotics have failed or are unsuitable.

The Future of Topical Antibiotic Treatments: Beyond Fucidin Cream

As antibiotic resistance continues to be a growing concern in healthcare, researchers are exploring new approaches to treating bacterial skin infections. While Fucidin cream remains a highly effective option, ongoing studies are investigating potential alternatives and improvements:

• Novel antibiotic formulations with enhanced penetration and efficacy
• Combination therapies that pair antibiotics with other active ingredients for synergistic effects
• Nanotechnology-based delivery systems to improve drug absorption and targeting
• Natural antimicrobial compounds derived from plants and other organisms

These advancements may lead to new treatment options that complement or even surpass the effectiveness of current topical antibiotics like Fucidin cream. However, for the foreseeable future, Fucidin cream is likely to remain a crucial tool in managing bacterial skin infections.

The Importance of Responsible Antibiotic Use

As we look to the future of topical antibiotic treatments, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of responsible antibiotic use. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics, including topical formulations like Fucidin cream, can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To preserve the effectiveness of these valuable medications, healthcare providers and patients should:

• Use antibiotics only when necessary and as prescribed
• Complete the full course of treatment
• Avoid using antibiotics for viral or fungal infections
• Consider alternative treatments when appropriate

By using Fucidin cream and other antibiotics judiciously, we can help ensure their continued efficacy in treating bacterial skin infections for years to come.

What Is Fucidin Cream Used For?

If you suffer from a skin condition or skin infection and you’re looking at treatments, then you may have already heard of Fucidin cream as a treatment option. But what is Fucidin cream used for, specifically, and is it suitable for you?

Although Fucidin is used to treat eczema — particularly infected eczema — it isn’t just used for this purpose. In fact, there are multiple Fucidin cream uses and this effective antibiotic cream can be used to treat all sorts of skin issues.

In this guide, we’ll be taking a closer look at Fucidin cream so that you know whether it’s suitable for you, including exactly what to expect should you decide to use this treatment. We’ve also created an FAQs section so that you can learn more about what Fucidin cream is used for and how it treats certain skin conditions or infections. Read on to find out more.

What is Fucidin cream?

Fucidin cream is a prescription-only topical medication that is used to treat infected eczema, dermatitis and other inflammatory, infected skin conditions.

Fucidin cream contains fusidic acid, which is a type of antibiotic. This means it is very effective at treating bacterial infections.

Fucidin cream is only available on prescription, which means you cannot buy it over the counter in the UK. You will need your GP or pharmacist to prescribe it for you — they will only be able to do this after a medical consultation.

You can buy Fucidin cream here at The Independent Pharmacy. Starting your free online consultation with us is quick and easy — you’ll just need to answer a few questions, and you can receive your medication the next day once it’s been approved by our medical team.

What is Fucidin cream used for?

Fucidin cream can be used to treat a number of bacterial infections.

It is primarily used to treat infected areas of eczema, but it can be used for the treatment of a number of other conditions, such as dermatitis.

Fucidin cream is suitable for treating conditions including:

• Infected eczema, dermatitis, or psoriasis
• Impetigo
• Infected hair follicles
• Infected wounds
• Infection around the nails

Fucidin cream should only be used to treat infected skin conditions caused by bacteria.

It should not be used to treat:

• Spots
• Acne
• Warts & Verrucas
• Boils
• Cysts
• Viral infections like cold sores
• Fungal infections like thrush or athlete’s foot

We’ll go into different Fucidin cream uses below in more detail.

Fucidin cream vs Fucidin H cream: what’s the difference?

If you’re looking for a treatment option for infected eczema, then you may have noticed that there are two very similar-sounding treatments available: Fucidin cream and Fucidin H cream. But what is the difference?

As we’ve mentioned above, Fucidin cream is an effective, prescription-only antibiotic cream containing fusidic acid 2%.

Fucidin H cream is a version of Fucidin cream with the added ingredient hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid. This makes Fucidin H cream a stronger treatment option with a more potent anti-inflammatory effect, which is suitable if you have a more serious infection. You can find out more about Fucidin H cream uses here.

Regular Fucidin is more suitable for mild eczema or skin infections, on skin that is severely cracked or broken, or on eczema that isn’t particularly inflamed.

Another treatment option is Fucibet cream — a prescription-only medicine containing two active ingredients: fusidic acid and betamethasone. Read more about what Fucibet cream is used for in our Fucibet cream uses guide.

If you aren’t sure which is the best treatment for you, you can speak to your GP or one of our team of qualified pharmacists, who will be more than happy to help.

Fucidin Cream FAQs

Sometimes it can be difficult to find out exactly what medication is used for, and what it can be used to treat.

There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about Fucidin cream uses, so if you just want to ask “what is Fucidin cream used for?”, it’s not always easy to find an exact answer.

In this section, we’ll be looking at Fucidin cream uses more closely — listing the different conditions and infections that Fucidin can be used for, as well as the conditions that Fucidin cannot be used to treat.

Can Fucidin cream be used for infected eczema?

Yes — one of the main uses of Fucidin cream is for treating infected eczema or dermatitis.

Eczema (also known as atopic eczema or atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that affects lots of people. It causes patches of itchy, dry and red skin, and can become a recurring issue if it isn’t treated properly — and can become more serious if it gets infected.

When the skin gets very dry and cracked, it can become infected. The surrounding skin will become red, the area will be hot to the touch and tender. You may notice that skin is ‘sticky’ or there is pus coming from the area, or the area may develop a crust as it dries.

Luckily, there are lots of different topical treatments you can use if you suffer from infected eczema, one of the most popular being Fucidin.

To use Fucidin cream for infected skin conditions, apply it topically to the affected area, usually three to four times a day during your course of treatment. Fucidin cream usually treats eczema infections within seven to ten days.

Fucidin cream contains the antibiotic and antibacterial medicine, fusidic acid, which prevents the bacteria infecting your eczema from replicating. This stops the infection from spreading, allowing the immune system to kill the existing bacteria and helping your infected eczema to clear up.

Can Fucidin cream be used for impetigo?

Impetigo is a skin infection that is highly contagious but not usually serious. It is caused by bacteria and can cause red sores or blisters that burst and leave weepy, gold-brown crusty patches. It can be itchy, painful and easily spread to other parts of your body. Anyone can get it, but it’s very common in young children.

Impetigo is treated with antibiotics and often gets better in seven to ten days once you start treatment. Fucidin cream is one such treatment — as a topical antibiotic, it is an effective treatment when used for impetigo.

The antibiotic fusidic acid in Fucidin cream treats the bacterial infection which causes impetigo. You should apply it to the affected areas as instructed. Your condition should start to improve after a few days. However, it is very important to use the cream for as long as your doctor has recommended to ensure that the infection has completely gone.

Can Fucidin cream treat yeast infections (such as thrush)?

Vaginal thrush (commonly known as thrush) is a common yeast infection that will affect most women in their lifetime. It is more common in women in their twenties and thirties.

The use of Fucidin cream for thrush or yeast infections is not generally recommended. This is because thrush is a type of yeast or fungal infection — thrush is caused by the yeast-like fungus candida albicans.

For thrush, a short course of anti-fungal treatment is usually the best option. These can be purchased over the counter without the need for a prescription. Here at The Independent Pharmacy, we stock a range of suitable anti-fungal thrush medications — head to our dedicated thrush treatments page to find out more.

Can you use Fucidin cream for fungal infections?

Fucidin cream should only be used to treat infected skin conditions caused by bacteria. It should not be used to treat fungal infections. If you have a fungal infection, your doctor or pharmacist will be able to suggest a suitable treatment option.

Is Fucidin cream good for spots and acne?

Fucidin cream should not be used to treat spots or acne. There are, however, plenty of topical and oral antibiotics that can be used to treat acne, these are listed on our acne page.

Can you use Fucidin cream for cold sores?

Fucidin cream cannot be used for cold sores.

This is because cold sores are a viral infection, caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV-1).

Fucidin cream should only be used to treat infected skin conditions caused by bacteria. It should not be used to treat viral infections like cold sores.

If you want to find a suitable treatment for cold sores, visit our main cold sores treatment page.

Can I use Fucidin cream for boils?

Yes, you can use Fucidin cream for boils. Fucidin treats skin infections, and boils are caused by skin bacteria infecting hair follicles. By preventing those bacteria from growing, Fucidin cream can help to treat severe boils that won’t clear up without medical assistance.

Can you use Fusidic acid on broken skin?

Yes, it is fine to use Fucidin cream or Fusidic acid on broken skin. Fusidic acid-based creams help to treat infection and kill bacteria in cuts, grazes, open wounds, or any other condition (such as impetigo) where the skin is broken.

Can Fucidin cream be used for insect bites?

Creams or ointments which contain fusidic acid such as Fucidin cream can sometimes be used to treat insect bites. If you have an infected insect bite, speak to your GP for further guidance on the best treatment to use.

Fucidin cream during pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant and you’re thinking about using this treatment, you may be wondering — is Fucidin cream safe during pregnancy?

The answer is yes — using Fucidin cream during pregnancy is generally considered safe. The same goes for using other fusidic acid-based treatments such as creams, ointments or eye drops while pregnant.

There is no clear evidence that using this medical cream will be harmful to your baby or adversely affect your pregnancy. This is because Fucidin cream is only applied topically to affected areas, so it will only have an impact on these localised areas. It isn’t really absorbed by the body, therefore it wouldn’t cause any negative effects during pregnancy or the unborn baby.

Fucidin cream is also considered suitable for breastfeeding women for the same reasons.

However, if you are pregnant, planning to have a baby or are breastfeeding, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine. It’s always a good idea to discuss any treatment options with your GP or pharmacist to choose the lowest-risk medicine possible to treat any condition during pregnancy.

Summary

Fucidin cream is an effective topical medication that is used to treat infected eczema and a range of other skin conditions, including impetigo.

Fucidin cream is an antibiotic treatment, containing the active ingredient fusidic acid, and should only be used to treat infected skin conditions caused by bacteria. The main Fucidin cream used is for infected eczema, but it can treat other bacterial infections too.

It should not be used to treat viral infections (such as cold sores), or fungal infections (such as thrush or athlete’s foot).

Fusidic acid — the active ingredient in Fucidin cream — works by stopping infection-causing bacteria from growing and increasing in number, causing the bacteria to die and allowing the immune system to kill the remaining bacteria.

If you’re suffering from infected eczema or another skin condition and you’ve been diagnosed by a doctor, you can buy Fucidin cream from The Independent Pharmacy.

To receive your treatment, you’ll just need to complete a free online consultation. This lets us check that this is the right treatment for you. Starting your online consultation is quick, free and easy — you just need to answer a few questions before your order is reviewed by our team of qualified prescribers.