I Have Mupirocin Ointment On Hand And Just Applied It To The Area And Covered With A Band Aid

Posted on Wed, 3 Mar 2021

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 3 Mar 2021 Answered on

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello! Last Friday I had my dermatologist freeze off several seborrheic keratosis, three of which were on the back of my upper arm above my elbow. I’ve had cryotherapy in the past, and as before, all of the treated spots formed blisters which then popped and drained. Can you please take a look at the spot located at the top of the picture and tell me if it looks infected? It is sore and was a bit warm to the touch, but there is no discharge and the redness doesn’t seem to be spreading. The darker area you see on it is just the top layer of skin which was frozen off and formed the blister.

I have mupirocin (bactroban) ointment on hand and just applied it to the area and covered with a band aid.

Thank you!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Infected wound

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Yes it does look infected in this picture. If I were the treating doctor I would suggest a week of oral antibiotics e.g either amoxicilin or cephalexin. In addition I suggest you to continue with mupirocin application. First you can clean the treated spots with povidone iodine solution and then apply mupirocin ointment. Don't cover. Keel it open.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad