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What are the Most Common Uses for Topical Clindamycin?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Topical clindamycin is an antibiotic that is used primarily to manage severe cases of acne. It is also used to kill several forms of potentially harmful bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. It is also used to fight often deadly bacteria, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Oftentimes, it is prescribed to treat vaginal infections, particularly if the infection is not responding to other treatments. Occasionally, it may be used in veterinary medicine to treat skin infections as well.

There are various forms of topical clindamycin available. Many times the form that is used is dependent on what condition it is being used to treat. For example, it is available as a cream, which is commonly used to treat vaginal infections. It is also available as a liquid solution, foam, lotion, or gel. These forms are typically used to manage acne or treat skin infections that are caused by bacteria.

Topical clindamycin is used to kill bacterial skin infections such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus.
Topical clindamycin is used to kill bacterial skin infections such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus.

Although the most common use for topical clindamycin is the management of acne, it is not designed to fully treat or cure acne. It will lower the number of acne pimples, but it will not clear up acne in its entirety. It works by killing the acne-causing bacteria, thereby limiting the severity of the outbreaks.

Topical clindamycin is a popular choice to kill certain bacterial infections. For example, a skin infection caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus will often be treated through the use of topical clindamycin. It will also kill bacteria called Capnocytophaga canimorsus. These bacteria cause zoonotic disease and are the result of an infection from an animal bite. Applying this topical antibiotic to the wound is believed to kill the bacteria and treat or prevent the disease.

Topical clindamycin can be applied to an animal bite wound to help kill bacteria and prevent disease.
Topical clindamycin can be applied to an animal bite wound to help kill bacteria and prevent disease.

Among the most publicized and dangerous bacteria are the MRSA. These bacteria are typically found in hospitals and thrive on open sores and areas where medical equipment was inserted into the human body. It may prove to be deadly if it is not controlled. It is resistant to many forms of antibiotics, but some strains of MRSA respond to clindamycin, particularly near open sores.

Veterinarians use clindamycin to treat skin infections in animals.
Veterinarians use clindamycin to treat skin infections in animals.

In addition, topical clindamycin is used to treat vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginitis. The cream is applied within the vagina to treat the infection. Although other drugs are available, it is believed to work well to treat the infection.

People are not the only ones to benefit from the use of topical clindamycin. It is often prescribed by veterinarians to treat skin infections on animals as well. It is typically applied to the infected skin area as a gel or a lotion.

Topical clindamycin is often used as a way to manage acne.
Topical clindamycin is often used as a way to manage acne.

Although there are many uses for topical clindamycin, there are even more uses for oral clindamycin. As one of the most powerful antibiotics, both forms are used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. As with any drug, side effects are possible. Any questions regarding the use of topical clindamycin should be addressed with a medical practitioner.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to TheHealthBoard.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to TheHealthBoard.

Learn more...

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    • Topical clindamycin is used to kill bacterial skin infections such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus.
      By: Coprid
      Topical clindamycin is used to kill bacterial skin infections such as Streptococcus or Staphylococcus.
    • Topical clindamycin can be applied to an animal bite wound to help kill bacteria and prevent disease.
      By: sima
      Topical clindamycin can be applied to an animal bite wound to help kill bacteria and prevent disease.
    • Veterinarians use clindamycin to treat skin infections in animals.
      By: hues
      Veterinarians use clindamycin to treat skin infections in animals.
    • Topical clindamycin is often used as a way to manage acne.
      By: Ocskay Bence
      Topical clindamycin is often used as a way to manage acne.
    • Clindamycin can be used to treat vaginal infections.
      By: isyste
      Clindamycin can be used to treat vaginal infections.
    • Clindamycin lotion can be used to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
      By: Konstantin Yuganov
      Clindamycin lotion can be used to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin.
    • Itching may be a sign of an allergic reaction to clindamycin.
      By: Gina Sanders
      Itching may be a sign of an allergic reaction to clindamycin.
    • MRSA most often lives in the nasal cavity.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      MRSA most often lives in the nasal cavity.
    • MRSA bacteria are typically found in hospitals.
      By: Lisa F. Young
      MRSA bacteria are typically found in hospitals.