How to Identify Petrolatum-Based Antibiotic Ointments
Petrolatum-based antibiotic ointments can be identified by checking the inactive ingredients list on the product packaging, which will specifically list "petrolatum" or "white petrolatum" as the base ingredient.
Identifying Characteristics of Petrolatum-Based Ointments
- Petrolatum-based ointments have a thick, translucent, greasy consistency similar to petroleum jelly 1
- Common petrolatum-based antibiotic ointments include Neosporin (containing neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin), Polysporin (containing polymyxin B and bacitracin), and single-ingredient bacitracin ointments 2
- The product label or package insert will list "petrolatum" or "white petrolatum" in the inactive ingredients section 3
- These ointments are typically packaged in tubes and have a semi-solid, greasy texture that doesn't easily wash off with water 4
Common Examples of Petrolatum-Based Antibiotic Ointments
- Triple-antibiotic ointment (TAO) containing neomycin, polymyxin B, and bacitracin in a petrolatum base 4
- Polysporin, containing polymyxin B and bacitracin in a petrolatum base 2
- Bacitracin ointment in a petrolatum base 5
- Xeroform, a petrolatum-impregnated gauze dressing containing bismuth tribromophenate 2
Clinical Considerations
- Petrolatum-based antibiotic ointments are recommended for small partial-thickness burns and minor wounds 1
- These ointments create an occlusive barrier that promotes wound healing while delivering antimicrobial agents 1
- The petrolatum base helps prevent the wound from drying out and promotes faster healing compared to dry dressings 1
- For patients with known allergies to neomycin (which occurs in approximately 11% of patch-tested patients), consider using bacitracin-only or polymyxin B-only formulations 3
Important Cautions
- Neomycin, a common ingredient in triple-antibiotic ointments, is the most frequent cause of allergic contact dermatitis among topical antibiotics 3
- Approximately 8% of patients may develop allergic contact dermatitis to bacitracin 3
- Cross-reactivity can occur between different aminoglycoside antibiotics (like neomycin and tobramycin) 6
- For patients with a history of contact dermatitis to antibiotic ingredients, plain white petrolatum without antibiotics can be an effective alternative for closed wounds 3, 5
Alternative Options
- For patients with antibiotic allergies, plain white petrolatum (without antibiotics) is an effective and cost-efficient alternative for wound care 5
- Studies have shown comparable infection rates between plain petrolatum and antibiotic ointments for many types of wounds 5
- Other non-petrolatum options include honey or aloe vera, though these may have different consistencies and application characteristics 1