As winter winds leave your skin dry, cracked and prone to cuts and bleeding, a skin expert says you should resist the urge to use antibiotic creams or ointments..

While it may seem wise to use antibiotics to fight germs and prevent cuts from becoming infected, we should be aware that they can further irritate the skin and cause a painful and/or itchy rash called contact dermatitis, warned dermatologist Dr. Marceline Coley..

“In addition to irritation and rashes, the widespread use of antibiotics, including when they are not needed, has contributed to a major public health problem known as antibiotic resistance,” Coley said in a press release from the American Academy of Dermatology.. – Antibiotic resistance occurs when microbes, such as bacteria, develop the ability to survive drugs designed to kill them. This means that microbes continue to grow.. This makes infections caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes difficult and sometimes impossible to treat.. Most minor cuts and wounds, and even surgical wounds, do not require antibiotics.”.

Antibiotics are usually needed only when there is an infection.. Signs of infection include: pus, pain, yellow crusts, red or purple skin, reddish streaks, swelling or warmth, feeling hot or cold, fever.

If there are no signs of infection in the wound - just make sure that the infection does not get into the wound. Keep the wound covered with an adhesive bandage. For large scratches, ulcers or burns, hydrogel or silicone gel sheets are best..

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of all antibiotics used in the US are unnecessary,” Coley said.. “If you have damaged your skin and have questions about how to treat it, see a certified dermatologist.”.

medical-heal. en.