From the Research
Doxycycline is an appropriate antibiotic choice for treating an infected hematoma, with a recommended dosage of 100mg taken orally twice daily for 7-10 days, depending on the severity of the infection. Before starting antibiotics, the infected hematoma should ideally be drained if it's accessible and fluctuant, as antibiotics alone may be insufficient without removing the purulent material. Doxycycline is effective because it provides good coverage against common skin and soft tissue pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus (including some MRSA strains), Streptococcus species, and many anaerobes that might be present in an infected hematoma 1.
Some key points to consider when using doxycycline for infected hematoma include:
- Take doxycycline with a full glass of water and avoid taking it within 2 hours of antacids, calcium supplements, or dairy products as these can reduce absorption.
- Common side effects include photosensitivity, so sun protection is advised during treatment.
- If the infection shows no improvement after 48-72 hours of treatment, reassessment is necessary as culture-guided therapy or a different antibiotic regimen may be needed.
- The management of wound infection, including infected hematoma, involves identifying and managing the infection early to contribute to faster wound healing and reduce the risk of negative outcomes 2.
- It's also important to note that trauma, hemorrhage, and transfusion can impair the immune response, resulting in increased incidence of infection, and that antibiotic pharmacokinetics can be altered in these situations 1.
However, the provided evidence does not directly address the use of doxycycline for infected hematoma, but based on its spectrum of activity and the general principles of managing skin and soft tissue infections, it can be considered a suitable option. The choice of antibiotic should always be guided by the most recent and highest quality evidence available, as well as local resistance patterns and patient-specific factors.