Avoid the Neosporin. Prolonged exposure to one of the active ingredients (neomycin) often causes an allergic reaction, i.e. inflammation indistinguishable from an infection. Then putting more on to treat the “infection” just makes it worse. The triple-action seems to be more marketing than science. Polysporin, plain bacitracin, or even just petroleum jelley (Vaseline) is probably a better choice. The moisturizer is helpful (because it prevents scab formation and scarring), but it’s not clear that the antibacterials are helping much. There’s also some concern that Neosporin may promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like MRSA.
I see, interesting. I’ve tended to talk about Neosporin and Polysporin interchangeably, not knowing the difference and figuring they were similar; the thing I’ve been using is actually Polysporin.
Looking into it… Wikipedia does say “In 2005–06, Neomycin was the fifth-most-prevalent allergen in patch test results (10.0%)”. Is the 10% the number of people with an allergic reaction? (Would there be >10% with nonzero but subclinical reactions?) Also, if there are bacteria that the Neosporin doesn’t kill, then might it actually be good for the body to be conducting a heightened immune response? Or would that interfere with wound healing in the common case? Googling suggests the latter is indeed a problem.
I also find that both bacitracin and neomycin have been named Allergen of the Year. Also, Wikipedia on bacitracin says “In 2005–06, it was the sixth-most-prevalent allergen in patch tests (9.2%).” Wow, that is kind of hilarious in the context of this debate. The article also says “[bacitracin] is generally safe when used topically, but in rare cases may cause hypersensitivity, allergic or anaphylactic reactions, especially in patient[s] allergic to neomycin.” My impression of the immune system is that it’s not too surprising for it to become highly prejudiced against anything new it encounters in open wounds… So is the one actually better than the other? I do find more internet-people advocating for Polysporin on allergen grounds, and I can believe that putting more potential allergens into a wound is more likely to cause a reaction.
I would agree that, in lots of cases (e.g. a paper cut while indoors), there’s little need for antibacterials; I mostly think of the moisturizing and “covering the wound” benefits, which would indeed be served by plain petroleum jelly. That said, if you have a tube of the stuff around, I think you might as well include the antibiotics unless you’re allergic.
Regarding antibiotic-resistant bacteria, how does overuse of Neo/Polysporin rate against, say, overuse of antibacterial hand soap and other products? I have a feeling that the latter are much larger culprits. I have one tube, roughly thumb-sized, of Polysporin, which I still haven’t used up after >10 years (perhaps any active ingredients have expired).
Avoid the Neosporin. Prolonged exposure to one of the active ingredients (neomycin) often causes an allergic reaction, i.e. inflammation indistinguishable from an infection. Then putting more on to treat the “infection” just makes it worse. The triple-action seems to be more marketing than science. Polysporin, plain bacitracin, or even just petroleum jelley (Vaseline) is probably a better choice. The moisturizer is helpful (because it prevents scab formation and scarring), but it’s not clear that the antibacterials are helping much. There’s also some concern that Neosporin may promote antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like MRSA.
I see, interesting. I’ve tended to talk about Neosporin and Polysporin interchangeably, not knowing the difference and figuring they were similar; the thing I’ve been using is actually Polysporin.
Looking into it… Wikipedia does say “In 2005–06, Neomycin was the fifth-most-prevalent allergen in patch test results (10.0%)”. Is the 10% the number of people with an allergic reaction? (Would there be >10% with nonzero but subclinical reactions?) Also, if there are bacteria that the Neosporin doesn’t kill, then might it actually be good for the body to be conducting a heightened immune response? Or would that interfere with wound healing in the common case? Googling suggests the latter is indeed a problem.
I also find that both bacitracin and neomycin have been named Allergen of the Year. Also, Wikipedia on bacitracin says “In 2005–06, it was the sixth-most-prevalent allergen in patch tests (9.2%).” Wow, that is kind of hilarious in the context of this debate. The article also says “[bacitracin] is generally safe when used topically, but in rare cases may cause hypersensitivity, allergic or anaphylactic reactions, especially in patient[s] allergic to neomycin.” My impression of the immune system is that it’s not too surprising for it to become highly prejudiced against anything new it encounters in open wounds… So is the one actually better than the other? I do find more internet-people advocating for Polysporin on allergen grounds, and I can believe that putting more potential allergens into a wound is more likely to cause a reaction.
I would agree that, in lots of cases (e.g. a paper cut while indoors), there’s little need for antibacterials; I mostly think of the moisturizing and “covering the wound” benefits, which would indeed be served by plain petroleum jelly. That said, if you have a tube of the stuff around, I think you might as well include the antibiotics unless you’re allergic.
Regarding antibiotic-resistant bacteria, how does overuse of Neo/Polysporin rate against, say, overuse of antibacterial hand soap and other products? I have a feeling that the latter are much larger culprits. I have one tube, roughly thumb-sized, of Polysporin, which I still haven’t used up after >10 years (perhaps any active ingredients have expired).
I didn’t realize bacitracin allergies were nearly as prevalent as neomycin. Still, better one allergen than three.