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Topical antibiotics: therapeutic value or ecologic mischief?
James Q Del Rosso1, Grace K Kim
1Valley Hospital Medical Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. jqdelrosso@yahoo.com
Dermatologic Therapy
|October 23, 2009
Summary
Dermatologists prescribe millions of topical antibiotics annually. This article explores the benefits and potential ecological harms of topical antibiotic use in dermatology, including antibiotic resistance concerns.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Dermatologists prescribe 8-9 million oral and 3-4 million topical antibiotics yearly.
- Concerns about antibiotic resistance often focus on systemic antibiotics.
- Topical antibiotic use also warrants consideration for its ecological impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the therapeutic benefits of topical antibiotics in dermatology.
- To explore the ecological implications, or "ecologic mischief," of topical antibiotic use.
- To provide author perspectives on these issues in ambulatory dermatology.
Main Methods:
- Review of antibiotic prescribing data from 2003.
- Discussion of author perspectives on topical antibiotic therapy.
- Analysis of potential benefits and ecological consequences.
Main Results:
- Topical antibiotics represent a significant portion of dermatological antibiotic prescriptions.
- Potential for contributing to antibiotic resistance exists with topical use.
- Therapeutic benefits must be weighed against ecological risks.
Conclusions:
- Topical antibiotic therapy in dermatology presents both benefits and risks.
- Understanding the "ecologic mischief" is crucial for responsible prescribing.
- Further evaluation of topical antibiotic impact on resistance is needed.
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