Augmentin is NOT Recommended for Routine Prophylaxis After Minor Lacerations
For a simple scissor cut, prophylactic antibiotics including Augmentin are not indicated—proper wound care with irrigation and closure (if needed) is sufficient. 1
Why Antibiotics Are Not Needed for Clean Minor Lacerations
Clean, minor wounds do not require antibiotic prophylaxis. The evidence supporting prophylactic antibiotics applies specifically to surgical procedures and major trauma, not simple household injuries like scissor cuts 2, 1
Proper wound management is the cornerstone of infection prevention: immediate irrigation with simple saline solution (without additives like soap or antiseptics), removal of any debris, and appropriate closure if the wound edges can be approximated 2
The risk-benefit ratio does not favor antibiotics for minor wounds. Prophylactic antibiotics carry risks including allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis), antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and development of resistant organisms—risks that outweigh any theoretical benefit in clean minor lacerations 2
When Augmentin Is NOT the Right Choice Even If Antibiotics Were Indicated
First- or second-generation cephalosporins (like cefazolin) are the preferred prophylactic agents for clean procedures, not Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate). 1 Single-dose cephalosporin prophylaxis reduces wound infections significantly (relative risk 0.4,95% CI 0.24-0.67) 2
Augmentin's spectrum is not optimally matched to prophylaxis needs. While Augmentin has activity against Staphylococcus aureus and some gram-negative organisms 3, 4, cephalosporins provide more appropriate coverage with better pharmacokinetics for surgical prophylaxis 1
Critical Distinction: Prophylaxis vs. Treatment
If the wound is already showing signs of infection (erythema, warmth, purulent drainage, fever, spreading cellulitis), this requires therapeutic antibiotics, not prophylaxis 1
For established skin and soft tissue infections, options include TMP-SMX, doxycycline, clindamycin, or cephalosporins depending on severity and local resistance patterns 2
The most common error is using prophylactic antibiotics when none are needed, or continuing them beyond the appropriate timeframe 1
When Prophylactic Antibiotics ARE Indicated (Not Your Scenario)
Prophylactic antibiotics are appropriate for:
Surgical procedures: administered within 60-120 minutes before incision and discontinued within 24 hours post-operatively 1
Major trauma with open fractures: requiring coverage for Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, and gram-negative bacilli, with first- or second-generation cephalosporins for grade I-II injuries 2, 1
Contaminated or dirty wounds: requiring therapeutic (not prophylactic) antibiotics based on expected organisms, with duration of 3-5 days depending on injury severity 2, 1
Bottom Line for Your Scissor Cut
Clean the wound thoroughly with saline, apply appropriate dressing, and monitor for signs of infection. No antibiotics needed unless signs of established infection develop (increasing pain, redness, warmth, purulent drainage, fever), at which point therapeutic antibiotics—not prophylaxis—would be required 2, 1