Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
Got my first cold sore. my doctor told me not to use mupirocin my grandma recomd. used it anyways and worked like magic. why did it work?
6 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
It didn't ...: Your cold sore resolved on its own. Mupirocin is an antibiotic. It only works on bacteria. Cold sores are caused by viruses and antibiotics DO NOT work on viral infections. Mupirocin is also only supposed to be used on external bacterial skin infections and should never be used around the mouth. You are lucky you did not develop any adverse reactions. Sorry to have burst your bubble.
Answered 1/26/2015
3.3k views
Cold sores: There is no cure for cold sores. However, some medications may relieve pain and soften HSV crusts on the skin. Denavir, (penciclovir) a topical antiviral cream recently cleared for marketing by the FDA that may decrease the duration of lesion pain and accelerate healing.
Answered 1/26/2015
3.3k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Daughter has an itchy red rash around nose. mupirocin for 10 days and it didn't work. doctor just put her on triamcinolone aceto. It's red! Help?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
A member asked:
I put bactroban (mupirocin) on a healing cold sore. Was that a good idea?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
I suffered from cold sore for a month. i went to doctor and he prescribed mupirocin cream for me. i am currently using this cream 3 times a day but my lips and skin around my mouth i very crackly since i used this medicine. can i use Vaseline too?
My arm is sore/ when i move it around. Doctor said it was folliculitis and have taken bactrim (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) for 4 days and using bactroban ointment. Any suggestion?
As from Monday, I noticed yellow patches/scabs in one nostril, it burns alot and is very sore. I'm using generic Bactroban, but my nose is running and I'm not sure if the cream gets chance to get absorbed. Should I go to the doctor to get it checked?
I have perioral dermatitis and I think it was because of the steroid cream that the doctor prescribed me. It is stinging pretty badly, does mupirocin work at all topically for perioral dermatitis?
Are there any WATER BASED, ODORLESS ointments that can be used inside of one's nostrils to relieve dry nose? My doctor gave me Mupirocin (Bactroban) Ointment and it works great but it's an antibiotic. Would Glycerine be safe to use?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
