What does erythromycin ointment do?
Erythromycin ointment is a common antibiotic for external use. It has become a common medicine in the family medicine cabinet because of its low price and wide range of uses. In the past 10 days, discussions about erythromycin ointment have been quite popular on social media and health forums, with many netizens sharing their experience and questions about its use. This article will introduce in detail the functions, applicable symptoms and precautions of erythromycin ointment, and attach structured data for reference.
1. Main ingredients and mechanism of action of erythromycin ointment

The main active ingredient of erythromycin ointment is erythromycin, which belongs to the macrolide antibiotics. Its mechanism of action is by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis, thereby preventing bacterial growth and reproduction. Erythromycin has inhibitory effects on a variety of Gram-positive bacteria and some Gram-negative bacteria.
| Ingredients | concentration | Pharmacological effects |
|---|---|---|
| Erythromycin | 1%-2% | Inhibit bacterial protein synthesis |
| Accessories (Vaseline, etc.) | Appropriate amount | Moisturizing and promoting drug absorption |
2. Common uses of erythromycin ointment
Erythromycin ointment has a wide range of applications. The following are its main application scenarios:
| Applicable symptoms | Effect | Frequency of use |
|---|---|---|
| Skin infections (such as impetigo) | Anti-inflammatory, sterilizing | 2-3 times a day |
| Small burn or scald | Prevent infection | 1-2 times a day |
| Acne (pimples) | Inhibits Propionibacterium acnes | Once a day (before going to bed) |
| Minor scrapes or cuts | Promote wound healing | 1-2 times a day |
3. Precautions when using erythromycin ointment
Although erythromycin ointment is relatively safe, you still need to pay attention to the following things:
1.allergic reaction: Not suitable for those allergic to erythromycin or other macrolide antibiotics. When using it for the first time, test it on a small area of skin.
2.drug resistance issues: Long-term and frequent use may lead to bacterial resistance. It is recommended that continuous use not exceed 7 days.
3.Not applicable to: Fungal infections (such as athlete's foot), viral infections (such as herpes) and deep wounds.
4.Special groups: Pregnant and lactating women should use it under the guidance of a physician.
4. Answers to recently hotly discussed questions among netizens
Based on online discussions in the past 10 days, the following high-frequency questions have been sorted out:
| question | Professional answers |
|---|---|
| Can erythromycin ointment remove acne marks? | No. It is only effective for inflammatory acne and needs to be combined with other acne removal products. |
| Can it be used on mosquito bites? | If there is no scratch infection, it is recommended to use cooling and anti-itch ointment first. |
| Can paronychia be treated? | Mild symptoms can be relieved in the early stages, but severe symptoms require medical treatment. |
5. Comparison between erythromycin ointment and other external medicines
| Drug name | Main ingredients | Applicable symptom differences |
|---|---|---|
| Erythromycin ointment | Erythromycin | bacterial skin infection |
| mupirocin ointment | mupirocin | Lower drug resistance, suitable for wound infections |
| Fusidic acid cream | fusidic acid | More effective against Staphylococcus aureus |
Summary: As a classic topical antibiotic, erythromycin ointment is suitable for a variety of superficial skin infections, but it needs to be used in a standardized manner to avoid drug resistance. If symptoms are not relieved or worsen, seek medical attention promptly. When preparing medicine at home, you need to pay attention to the shelf life (usually 2-3 years), and do not use expired products.
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