Travel – Avoiding Skin Infections

Dr. Irwin
November 13, 2009

 Skin infections while travelling are miserable, and can be dangerous in wet or tropical climates.

You might think that using anti-bacterial soaps would protect you. They may help some, but since most skin infections start with a cut, an insect bite, or some other break in the skin, the soaps aren’t very effective.

Ask your doctor for a prescription for a small tube of mupirocin ointment (Bactroban is the trade name).  Altabax ointment is also good. These prescription antibiotic ointments are much more effective and less prone to irritation than the OTC Neosporin or Polysporin. Use the mupirocin for a few days after a cut or a particularly bad bite to prevent infection while you’re travelling. If the infection gets larger than the size of quarter, or isn’t going away, see a doctor!

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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