Mupirocin ointment is a topical antibiotic mainly used to treat certain bacterial skin infections, especially those caused by staph and strep bacteria, like impetigo and infected minor wounds.

What mupirocin ointment is

Mupirocin is an antibiotic that you put on the skin, not a cream you take by mouth or use inside the body.

It works by blocking a bacterial enzyme needed to make proteins, which stops the bacteria from growing and helps the infection clear.

Main uses

Common ways doctors use mupirocin ointment include:

  • Treating impetigo (those honey‑colored crusty sores, often around the nose and mouth).
  • Treating infected minor cuts, scrapes, and small burns.
  • Treating some other superficial skin infections like small boils, folliculitis, or infected wounds.
  • Sometimes helping with post‑surgical or stitched wounds on the skin to prevent or control superficial bacterial infection, if prescribed.

In some cases, there is also a special nasal form used in the nose to reduce carriage of MRSA (a resistant staph germ), but that is a specific prescription product and not the same as just putting regular skin ointment up the nose.

What it does NOT treat

Mupirocin is only for certain bacteria, so it does not treat:

  • Fungal/yeast infections (like vaginal yeast or athlete’s foot).
  • Viral infections (like cold sores or shingles).
  • Deep or serious infections under the skin.

Using it incorrectly (for the wrong problem or for too long) can increase the risk of resistance and may delay proper treatment.

How it’s usually used

Typical directions (your doctor’s instructions always come first):

  1. Clean and gently dry the affected skin.
  2. Apply a thin layer of ointment 2–3 times a day.
  3. Sometimes cover with a light dressing if advised.
  4. Use it only for the number of days prescribed (often up to 10 days for impetigo, but this can vary).

Common mild side effects can include burning, stinging, itching, or redness where you apply it.

Safety tips (important)

  • Do not use on large areas of broken skin or deep wounds unless a clinician has told you to.
  • Do not use it in eyes, mouth, or inside the body; if it gets in the eyes, rinse well with water.
  • If the area is getting worse, spreading, or you develop fever or feel unwell, seek medical help urgently.
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, or people with multiple medications should confirm with a doctor or pharmacist first.

Mini FAQ

  • “Can I use mupirocin ointment for a yeast infection?”
    No; yeast needs an antifungal, and mupirocin will not treat it.
  • “Can I put it on acne?”
    Sometimes a clinician may use it briefly for infected or very inflamed lesions, but it is not a general everyday acne treatment.

This information is general and not a substitute for personal medical advice. Always follow the instructions from your own doctor or pharmacist.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.