Antibiotics for Skin Infection: What Works, What to Avoid

When your skin turns red, swollen, or oozes pus, it’s often a skin infection, a bacterial invasion of the skin that can range from mild to life-threatening. Also known as bacterial skin infections, these conditions include cellulitis, impetigo, folliculitis, and infected wounds. Not every rash or bump needs antibiotics—many are viral or fungal. But when bacteria are the culprit, picking the right antibiotics for skin infection, medications designed to kill or stop the growth of bacteria causing skin damage makes all the difference.

There are two main ways to deliver antibiotics for skin infections: oral and topical. Oral antibiotics, systemic drugs that travel through the bloodstream to reach infected tissue like cephalexin, clindamycin, or doxycycline are used for deeper or spreading infections like cellulitis. Topical options like mupirocin or fusidic acid work well for small, surface-level issues like impetigo or infected cuts. But here’s the catch: using the wrong one—or using them when they’re not needed—fuels antibiotic resistance. That’s why doctors now check for signs of bacterial infection before prescribing. If your skin is just itchy and flaky, it might be eczema or seborrheic dermatitis, not a bacterial problem. Those won’t respond to antibiotics at all.

Some antibiotics, like minocycline and cefuroxime, show up in other contexts too—minocycline for acne, cefuroxime for biofilm infections. That’s because these drugs have broader uses beyond just surface skin issues. But if you’re dealing with a simple pimple or a minor scrape, you don’t need a heavy-duty drug. Overuse leads to resistant strains, making future infections harder to treat. Even the most effective antibiotic won’t help if the real problem is a fungus, virus, or allergic reaction. Always get a proper diagnosis. Some skin infections need drainage more than pills. Others need antifungals, not antibiotics.

You’ll find posts here that dig into specific antibiotics like minocycline and cefuroxime, explain how they interact with other drugs, and show when they’re actually the right choice. There’s also info on drug shortages, side effects like swelling or hair loss, and how genetics can affect how your body handles these meds. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, practical details on what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the traps most people fall into when treating skin infections.