Fucidin Cream

What is Fucidin cream used for?

Fucidin cream is a topical treatment that can be prescribed for a number of skin conditions that include impetigo (a skin infection that often starts with red sores on your face or hands), infected eczema, and paronychia (a skin infection around your fingernails or toenails), folliculitis (a condition where your hair follicles become inflamed).

The active ingredient in Fucidin cream is fusidic acid. There’s also a hydrocortisone, an antiinflammatory steroid cream, called Fucidin H. Fucidin H might be more suitable for people with conditions like psoriasis or infected eczema.

How does Fucidin Cream work?

Fusidic acid, the active ingredient in Fucidin cream, is an antibiotic. This means that it’s used to treat bacterial infections. Because it’s a cream, it’s ideal for treating infected areas on your skin without having to ingest the antibiotic and risk side effects like stomach problems.

The fusidic acid cream works by stopping the infectious bacteria on your skin from multiplying. It does this by preventing them from making a protein that they need in order to reproduce. As a result, your body’s immune system is then able to fight off the bacteria.^[1]

What doses of Fucidin cream are there?

Fucidin cream is only available in one dose: 20mg/g, where 1g of cream contains 20mg of the active ingredient fusidic acid. It comes in tubes containing 30g of cream. Typically, it’s applied to the affected area three or four times a day for a week.

But it’s also available as a treatment that contains hydrocortisone, called Fucidin H, a cream. Fucidin H cream has 2% fusidic acid and 1% hydrocortisone as acetate, and is also available in packages containing 30g of cream.

You may also be given Fucidin or it’s active ingredient fusidic acid as a tablet or injection, but normally this is only in a hospital setting.

How to use Fucidin cream

You should always use Fucidin as it’s been prescribed by our clinician.

To use Fucidin cream:

• Remove the cap and check the seal isn’t broken;
• Break the seal using the spike on the cap;
• Gently apply the cream to the affected areas of skin after washing your hands;
• Once you’ve finished using the cream, wash your hands again (unless you’re treating skin on your hands).^[1]

Be gentle when applying Fucidin cream to your skin and avoid scrubbing, as this could cause irritation. This is particularly crucial if you’re using Fucidin on your face or if you have acne spots.

How long does it take Fucidin antibiotic cream to work?

You should start to see an improvement in your skin after one or two days of using Fucidin cream. But even if your skin does look better, it’s important to continue to use the cream for as long as your clinician has told you to, as sometimes the infection can come back if you stop using the treatment early.

The course of treatment for Fucidin cream is usually around one to two weeks, but sometimes it can be longer.

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Fucidin cream?

Fucidin antibiotic cream is for external use only. Seek medical help if you accidentally swallow some.

If you accidentally get Fucidin cream in your eyes – rinse it out with water straight away and bathe it with eyewash if possible. You might feel some stinging in your eye, and if you notice problems with your vision after rinsing it you should contact a clinician immediately.