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Can Amoxicillin Treat Skin Infections

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Accidentally Taking An Extra Dose

Amoxicillin To Treat Bacterial Infections like Pneumonia and Ulcers – Overview

Accidentally taking one extra dose of your antibiotic is unlikely to cause you any serious harm.

But it will increase your chances of experiencing side effects, such as pain in your stomach, diarrhoea, and feeling or being sick.

If you accidentally take more than one extra dose of your antibiotic, are worried or experiencing severe side effects, speak to your GP or call NHS 24 111 service as soon as possible.

Most Surgical Wounds Dont Need Antibiotics

Some doctors prescribe antibiotic creams or ointments to keep wounds from getting infected after surgery. Although infections still happen at hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers, the risk of an infection is fairly low. And topical antibiotics for your skin dont lower your risk of infection. Other measures, such as good handwashing by staff, work better to prevent infection. Petroleum jelly can help wounds heal by keeping them moist. Plus, its cheaper and less likely to make the wound sore.

What Other Information Should I Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body’s response to amoxicillin.

If you are diabetic, use Clinistix or TesTape to test your urine for sugar while taking this medication.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the amoxicillin, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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Dosage For Lower Respiratory Tract Infections

Adult dosage

Typical dosage is 875 mg every 12 hours, or 500 mg every 8 hours.

Child dosage

Typical dosage is 45 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours, or 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 8 hours.

Child dosage

Maximum dosage is 30 mg/kg/day. This is meant for children who weigh less than 88 pounds . Children who weigh more than 88 pounds should be dosed according to the adult recommendations. Your childs doctor can tell you more about dosage.

Senior dosage

The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lower dose or a different dosing schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.

Does Amoxicillin Treat Skin Infections

Antibiotics Used for Yeast Infections

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Is There A Way To Prevent Getting A Bacterial Infection

There are many ways to treat a bacterial skin infection, but the best way would be to take care of it at the first sign. This is easy for most people, but if you have a condition that could affect your immune system or you have weak immune systems because of age or illness, this task becomes harder. If you have any underlying medical conditions, you should still think about getting treatment right away so that the infection can clear up without complications.

The best way to prevent a bacterial skin infection is washing your hands frequently and getting a good amount of sleep. Always make sure your hands are clean by washing them with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that takes away the moisture from the area. Yes there is! You can prevent these infections by making sure you keep your hands clean and use hand sanitizer to kill off any bacteria that may be on your skin. If this still does not work, you can try using an over the counter ointment or cream to help reduce the number of breakouts. Many people get bacterial skin infections because they dont wash their hands properly.

Other Uses For This Medicine

Amoxicillin also is sometimes used to treat Lyme disease, to prevent anthrax infection after exposure, and to treat anthrax infection of the skin . Talk with your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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Blisters And Other Skin Problems

Blisters are small, raised lesions where fluid has collected under the skin. They may be caused by an allergic reaction, burns, frostbite, or by excessive friction or trauma to the skin. Blisters may also be a symptom of a systemic illness, or of a specific skin disorder.

This side effect is somewhat rare, but serious when it does occur. If you experience redness, blistering, or peeling or loosening of the skin after taking amoxicillin, contact your doctor right away.

Home treatments may be used to manage mild, non-itching rashes that are not severe. Treatment includes antihistamines or hydrocortisone, oatmeal baths, and drinking lots of water. If skin starts blistering, peeling, or loosening, however, seek medical attention immediately.

To prevent severe skin irritations, do not take amoxicillin if youre allergic to penicillin.

Swelling And Redness In Your Lower Legs May Not Require Treatment With Antibiotics

Topical antimicrobials to treat skin infections

If one or both of your lower legs are swollen and red, visit your doctor to find out why. In most cases, if both of your lower legs are swollen and red at the same time, its not because of an infection. That means you dont need antibiotics.

There are many other reasons why your lower legs could be swollen and red. For instance, you could have varicose veins or a blood clot in your leg. You could have an allergy to something you touched, such as a detergent or soap. Leg swelling could even be a sign of heart disease.

Before prescribing an antibiotic, your doctor should talk to you and do any tests needed to rule out these problems. Even then, you should take antibiotics only if theres a clear sign of an infection like cellulitis. Thats a common skin infection that causes redness and swelling.

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Common Questions About Amoxicillin

There’s no evidence to suggest that taking amoxicillin reduces fertility in either men or women.

If you or your child take amoxicillin as a liquid medicine, it can stain your teeth. This does not last and should go after brushing your teeth well.

Amoxicillin capsules do not stain teeth.

Yes. Amoxicillin should not affect you being able to drive or cycle.

You can eat and drink normally while taking amoxicillin.

Yes, you can drink alcohol with amoxicillin.

How To Take It

Try to space the doses evenly throughout the day. If you take it 3 times a day, this could be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon and at bedtime.

You can take amoxicillin before or after food.

Swallow amoxicillin capsules whole with a drink of water. Do not chew or break them.

Amoxicillin is available as a liquid for children and people who find it difficult to swallow capsules.

If you or your child are taking liquid amoxicillin, it will usually be made up for you by your pharmacist. The medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

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Unusually Weak Or Tired

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy.

Fatigue is different from drowsiness. In general, drowsiness is feeling the need to sleep, while fatigue is a lack of energy and motivation. Drowsiness and apathy can be symptoms that go along with fatigue.

If your fatigue falls under the category of excessive tiredness, this is a serious side effect. Its uncommon, but you should still consult your doctor immediately. This can happen when the nervous system is affected.

If youre just tired, take some time to rest, take things easy, and get enough sleep. Try to reduce stress.

When taking amoxicillin to combat an infection, its normal to feel tired. However, if youre excessively tired to the point of feeling weak, faint, or struggling to stay awake, get medical attention.

When You Need Themand When You Dont

Antibiotics are medicine used to treat and prevent ...

Skin problems can sometimes look like infections, especially if theyre red, swollen, or tender. So it might seem like treating them with antibiotics is a good idea. But some skin problems dont stem from infections at all. So treating them with antibiotics can do more harm than good.

Learn about situations when you dont need antibiotics for your skin. Also learn how to talk to your doctor about when antibiotics may be needed.

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What About Mrsa Infections

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It is a form of Staphylococcus aureus or “staph” bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics. It is transmitted by directly contacting an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces, or sharing personal items that have been in contact with infected skin. MRSA is a large problem in hospitals or health care facilities . MRSA also can infect people in the community, however, such as children at day care centers and children who are involved in sports that involve close contact. This is known as community-associated MRSA or CA-MRSA.

MRSA infections can appear like a pimple or boil, with redness, swelling, pain, or pus. Serious infections may spread into the blood and cause blood infections. If you experience a MRSA infection, your doctor may drain the infected area and prescribe antibiotics such as linezolid, clindamycin, or doxycycline. Do not try to drain the wound yourself! This can worsen the infection or spread it to others.

To prevent the spread of MRSA, here are some helpful tips:

  • Cover your wound with clean, dry bandages until the affected area is completely healed.
  • Maintain good hand hygieneyou and those in close contact with you should wash hands frequently with soap and water.
  • Do not share personal items, such as linens and clothing, with others.

Antibiotics Dont Help If Your Skin Is Not Infected

Eczema causes red, itchy, and scaly skin. People with eczema often have high amounts of bacteria on their skin. But that doesnt mean that the germs are causing infection. Even so, some doctors treat eczema with antibiotics that you take by mouth to kill the germs.

Antibiotics also dont help your itching or redness. And they dont make your eczema less severe. Plus, your skin bacteria usually come back in a month or two, if not sooner.

You can control eczema better with lotions and other steps. To ease itching and swelling, ask your doctor about other treatments, such as creams and ointments that contain medicine. You can get them with or without a prescription.

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What Is The Best Treatment For Treating Bacterial Skin Infections

There are many treatment options for bacterial skin infections. One way to treat a bacterial skin infection is to use an over the counter cream or lotion with antibacterial properties, like Polysporin or Bactroban. You can also take antibiotics. Another option is to be prescribed an antibiotic called Doxycycline, which is often used to cure Staphylococcus aureus. The best treatment for treating bacterial skin infections is to take antibiotics.

Antibiotics are great at fighting bacteria because they are almost always able to kill the bacteria while leaving the patients normal cells intact. This is especially important when youre dealing with a bacterial skin infection because there are many different types of bacteria that live on the skin, and if left untreated can cause serious health complications. One of the best ways to treat a skin infection caused by bacteria is to use an antibacterial gel. These gels are usually used in the form of creams that are applied directly on the skin. Some common types include mupirocin, neomycin, and erythromycin. However, these creams can be messy and have a long list of side effects if they are not applied correctly.

Amoxicillin May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:

Amoxicillin (Amoxycillin) to Treat Infections of Lungs, Ear, Skin and Urinary Tract
  • nausea
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, and eyes
  • severe diarrhea that may occur with or without fever and stomach cramps

Amoxicillin may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .

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Inflamed Cysts Usually Dont Require Antibiotics

Swollen, red, and tender lumps under the skin are usually either inflamed cysts or small boils. You usually dont need antibiotics for either of these problems.

Inflamed cysts sometimes get better on their own. If they keep getting inflamed, or if they are large or painful, the doctor can open and drain the cyst by making a small incision. Some cysts can be removed surgically. Both are simple procedures that can be done in a doctors office. After that, your cyst will likely heal on its own without antibiotics.

What Is Amoxicillin And How Does It Work

Amoxicillin is a prescriptionantibiotic which is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections. This medication is a penicillin-type antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

  • Amoxicillin treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections . Unnecessary use or misuse of any antibiotic can lead to its decreased effectiveness.
  • Amoxicillin is also used with other medications to treat stomach/intestinal ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori and to prevent the ulcers from returning.
  • Amoxicillin is available under the following different brand names: Amoxil, Moxatag, and Trimox.

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Yellowing Of The Eyes Or Skin

Jaundice is a yellow color in the skin, the mucous membranes, or the eyes. The yellow pigment is from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. If youve ever had a bruise, you may have noticed that the skin went through a series of color changes as it healed. When you saw yellow in the bruise, you were seeing bilirubin.

This effect, and liver damage or injury, can also be caused by amoxicillin. The liver injury can even occur after amoxicillin doses have stopped. This is more likely to happen when taking amoxicillin with clavulanate.

Recognizing early symptoms such as fatigue, poor appetite, and vomiting can help prevent jaundice from worsening. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Before taking amoxicillin, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver damage.

Can I Take Amoxicillin If Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

Understanding the Treatment of Bacterial Skin Infections ...

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Amoxicillin can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control to prevent pregnancy.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

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What Are The Side Effects Of Amoxicillin

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction or a severe skin reaction .

  • severe stomach pain or
  • diarrhea that is watery or bloody .

Common side effects may include:

  • nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or
  • rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Common Bacterial Skin Infections

DANIEL L. STULBERG, M.D., MARC A. PENROD, M.D., and RICHARD A. BLATNY, M.D., Utah Valley Family Practice Residency, Provo, Utah

Am Fam Physician. 2002 Jul 1 66:119-125.

Bacterial skin infections are the 28th most common diagnosis in hospitalized patients.1 Cellulitis, impetigo, and folliculitis are the most common bacterial skin infections seen by the family physician. The percentage of office visits for cellulitis was 2.2 percent, and for impetigo, it was 0.3 percent, in a cohort of almost 320,000 health plan members . Knowledge of the presentation, histopathology, and microbiology for each type of infection is important for proper care of the patient. The presentation, etiology, and current management of these diseases are presented.

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Aquatic Lacerations And Punctures

Lacerations and puncture wounds sustained in an aquatic environment may be contaminated with bacteria such as Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas and Plesiomonas species, Vibrio species, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and others. Treatment in such cases includes the following:

  • Antibiotic treatment should address common gram-positive and gram-negative aquatic organisms

  • Appropriate antibiotic regimens for saltwater or brackish water include doxycycline and ceftazidime, or a fluoroquinolone

  • Appropriate regimens for injuries sustained in freshwater include a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin or a fluoroquinolone

  • Apparent infection that is not responsive to initial courses of antibiotics as above should raise suspicion for Mycobacterium marinum infection in such situations, wound biopsy for mycobacterial stains and culture should be considered

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