When your skin gets red, sore, or oozing, you want relief fast. Fucidin Cream, which contains fusidic acid, has been a go-to for bacterial skin infections in the UK for decades. But it’s not the only option. With rising concerns about antibiotic resistance and varying effectiveness across different skin types, many people are asking: Fucidin Cream - is it still the best choice?
What Fucidin Cream Actually Does
Fucidin Cream is a topical antibiotic with fusidic acid as its active ingredient. It targets common bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes - the usual suspects behind impetigo, infected eczema, and small cuts or grazes that turn red and pus-filled. It’s not for fungal infections like athlete’s foot, or viral ones like cold sores. It works by stopping bacteria from making proteins they need to survive and multiply.
It’s available as a cream or ointment, and you usually apply it two to three times a day for 7-10 days. It’s gentle enough for children and often prescribed for kids with impetigo. But here’s the catch: it’s not always the most effective option, especially if the infection has been around for a while or if the bacteria have already developed resistance.
Why People Look for Alternatives
Over the last five years, the UK’s National Health Service has seen a steady rise in fusidic acid resistance. A 2023 study from Public Health England found that nearly 25% of Staphylococcus aureus samples from skin infections no longer responded to fusidic acid. That means for one in four people, Fucidin might not work at all - even if they use it exactly as directed.
Also, some users report irritation, burning, or dryness after applying it. Others find the cream too greasy, especially in warmer months. If you’ve tried Fucidin and it didn’t clear up your rash, or if your doctor says it’s not recommended anymore, you’re not alone. There are other topical treatments that work just as well - sometimes better.
Top Alternatives to Fucidin Cream
Here are the most commonly prescribed and clinically proven alternatives:
- Mupirocin (Bactroban) - Often the first choice when Fucidin fails. It’s highly effective against MRSA and other resistant strains. Applied three times daily for 5-10 days. Less greasy than Fucidin, but more expensive.
- Neomycin + Polymyxin B (Neosporin) - A broad-spectrum combo used for minor cuts and burns. Good for preventing infection, but not ideal for deep or widespread infections. Can cause allergic reactions in some people.
- Clindamycin cream (Dalacin T) - Strong against resistant staph and acne-related infections. Often used for folliculitis or infected hair follicles. May cause diarrhea as a side effect if absorbed systemically, so avoid large areas.
- Retapamulin (Altabax) - A newer option approved in the UK for impetigo. It’s effective even where fusidic acid has failed. Applied twice daily for five days. Not always available on NHS prescription due to cost.
- Antiseptic creams (Chlorhexidine, Povidone-Iodine) - Not antibiotics, but great for cleaning and preventing infection in minor wounds. Can be used alongside or instead of antibiotics if the infection is mild.
When to Choose What
Choosing the right alternative isn’t about what’s strongest - it’s about what fits your situation.
- For impetigo in children: Mupirocin is often preferred over Fucidin now because of resistance. It’s more reliable and works faster.
- For infected eczema: If the skin is very dry and cracked, Fucidin’s ointment base can be soothing. But if it’s weeping or inflamed, a non-greasy option like clindamycin might be better.
- For recurring infections: If you’ve used Fucidin multiple times and it keeps coming back, your GP may switch you to retapamulin or suggest a swab test to check for resistant strains.
- For minor cuts or scrapes: You don’t always need an antibiotic. Cleaning with chlorhexidine and covering with a sterile dressing is often enough.
One thing to remember: antibiotics should never be used for longer than prescribed. Even if the redness goes away in two days, finish the full course. Stopping early is one of the main reasons resistance develops.
What About Natural or Over-the-Counter Options?
Many people turn to tea tree oil, honey dressings, or coconut oil for skin infections. While some small studies show tea tree oil has antibacterial properties, there’s no strong clinical evidence it works as well as prescription creams for established infections. Honey dressings (like medical-grade Manuka honey) are used in hospitals for slow-healing wounds, but they’re not a replacement for antibiotics in acute bacterial infections.
Over-the-counter antiseptic sprays and creams can help prevent infection in minor injuries, but they won’t treat an active bacterial infection that’s already spreading. Don’t rely on them if your skin is hot, swollen, or oozing pus - see a healthcare professional.
How to Know If Your Infection Is Getting Worse
Even the best antibiotic won’t help if the infection is already serious. Watch for these signs:
- The red area is spreading rapidly (more than a centimetre a day)
- You develop a fever or feel unwell
- Pain increases instead of decreases
- Swelling or pus appears around lymph nodes (like under your armpit or groin)
If you notice any of these, stop using any cream and see a doctor immediately. You might need oral antibiotics or even hospital treatment.
Cost and Availability in the UK
Fucidin Cream is available on NHS prescription and is usually cheap - around £2-£5 for a 30g tube. Mupirocin is more expensive (£10-£15) and often requires prior authorization from your GP. Retapamulin is not routinely stocked by most pharmacies and may need to be ordered specially.
Over-the-counter antiseptics like chlorhexidine gel or povidone-iodine cream cost £3-£7 and are widely available in pharmacies. They’re not antibiotics, but they’re useful for prevention and mild cases.
What Your Doctor Will Do Before Prescribing
Good GPs don’t just hand out creams anymore. If you’ve had repeated skin infections, your doctor might take a swab - a quick, painless scrape from the affected area - and send it to a lab. This tells them exactly which bacteria are present and which antibiotics they’re sensitive to.
This practice, called antimicrobial susceptibility testing, is becoming standard in NHS dermatology clinics. It means you’re less likely to get a treatment that won’t work. If you’ve tried Fucidin twice and it didn’t help, ask your doctor about a swab test. It’s your right.
Final Thoughts: Is Fucidin Still Worth It?
Fucidin Cream isn’t outdated - but it’s no longer the default choice. For simple, early-stage infections in children, it still works well. But with rising resistance and better alternatives available, it’s no longer the first-line option in many cases.
If you’ve used Fucidin and it didn’t clear your infection, don’t assume it’s your fault. It might just be the wrong tool for the job. Talk to your pharmacist or GP about alternatives. There are safer, more effective options - and you deserve to get better faster.
Can I use Fucidin Cream for acne?
Fucidin Cream is not designed for regular acne. It targets bacterial infections, not the clogged pores and hormonal triggers behind most acne. For acne, treatments like benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, or oral antibiotics are more appropriate. Using Fucidin for acne can increase the risk of antibiotic resistance without helping the root cause.
How long does it take for Fucidin Cream to work?
Most people see improvement within 2-3 days. Redness and swelling should start to fade, and pus should decrease. If there’s no change after 5 days, or if it gets worse, stop using it and see a doctor. The infection might be resistant or not bacterial at all.
Is Fucidin Cream safe during pregnancy?
Yes, Fucidin Cream is considered safe in pregnancy when used as directed. Fusidic acid is a topical antibiotic with very low absorption into the bloodstream. But always check with your midwife or GP before using any medication during pregnancy, even if it’s a cream.
Can I use Fucidin Cream on my face?
Yes, but be careful around the eyes and mouth. Avoid getting it in your eyes. It’s often prescribed for facial impetigo or infected spots. If your skin is sensitive, the cream base might feel heavy. In that case, ask your doctor about the ointment version or switch to a lighter alternative like mupirocin.
What happens if I use Fucidin Cream too long?
Using it beyond 10-14 days increases the risk of bacterial resistance - meaning the cream won’t work next time you need it. It can also cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Never use it as a preventive measure or for non-infected skin. Always follow your doctor’s instructions on duration.
Are there any side effects of Fucidin Cream?
Common side effects include mild stinging, burning, or dryness at the application site. Rarely, people develop an allergic rash or itching. If you notice swelling, hives, or difficulty breathing after applying it, stop immediately and seek medical help - this could be a serious allergic reaction.
If you’ve been using Fucidin Cream and it’s not working, or if you’re worried about antibiotic resistance, you’re not alone. Many people in the UK are switching to alternatives like mupirocin or retapamulin with better results. Talk to your GP or pharmacist - there’s no shame in asking for a better solution.
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Emily Barfield
1/Nov/2025So let me get this right: we’re using antibiotics like they’re hand cream?!! We slap them on every little red spot like it’s a magic wand, and then wonder why nothing works anymore?! It’s not just resistance-it’s a cultural addiction to quick fixes. We’ve turned our skin into a battlefield, and we’re losing because we refuse to see the war for what it is: a symptom of something deeper. We don’t need more creams-we need to ask why our skin is breaking down in the first place. Stress? Diet? Toxins? Sleep? No one talks about that. We just want the cream to fix it. And it won’t. It never does. Not really.
Jonathan Debo
1/Nov/2025Actually, your premise is fundamentally flawed. Fusidic acid resistance rates vary significantly by region, and the 25% figure cited is from a specific subset of community-acquired MRSA isolates-not a population-wide prevalence. Furthermore, mupirocin’s superiority is overstated; it too has documented resistance in up to 18% of S. aureus strains in some U.S. hospitals. The claim that retapamulin is ‘more effective’ is misleading-it has comparable efficacy to fusidic acid in clinical trials, with no statistically significant advantage in impetigo resolution rates. Also, chlorhexidine is not an ‘alternative’-it’s a disinfectant, not an antibiotic. Terminology matters.
Robin Annison
1/Nov/2025I’ve had infected eczema for years. Fucidin worked the first two times. Then nothing. I switched to mupirocin-same thing after three uses. Last year, my dermatologist did a swab. Turned out I had a resistant strain. They prescribed retapamulin. It worked. Not because it’s ‘stronger,’ but because it’s different. It doesn’t hit the same protein target. That’s the thing nobody says: antibiotics aren’t a ladder you climb-you need to jump sideways. And yeah, it’s expensive. But so is six months of failed creams and endless GP visits. Worth it.
Abigail Jubb
1/Nov/2025Let’s be real-this whole system is a pharmaceutical scam. Fucidin? Cheap. Mupirocin? Expensive. Retapamulin? ‘Special order only.’ Why? Because someone’s making money off the confusion. And don’t get me started on ‘swab tests.’ You think your GP actually sends them out? Half the time they just guess. The lab’s backed up for months. Meanwhile, you’re left with a burning rash and a £15 prescription you can’t afford. They want you dependent. They want you scared. They want you buying the next thing. It’s not medicine. It’s a subscription.
George Clark-Roden
1/Nov/2025I remember when my daughter got impetigo at daycare. We used Fucidin. It worked. But then, two months later-same thing. And again. I started reading. I learned about resistance. I learned that kids aren’t just little adults-their skin is thinner, their microbiome is still developing. We stopped reaching for antibiotics at the first red spot. We started with warm water, clean towels, and keeping nails short. We used chlorhexidine wipes before bed. We didn’t panic. The infections got less frequent. Not because we found a better cream-but because we stopped treating symptoms and started treating the environment. Sometimes, the answer isn’t in the tube. It’s in the hands that wash them.
Hope NewYork
1/Nov/2025lol who even uses fucidin anymore? its like using a typewriter in 2024. mupirocin all the way. and if you're still using that greasy cream? you're probably also still using dial soap and watching dial-up internet. also tea tree oil works better than half the stuff on this list. just sayin. 🤷♀️
Bonnie Sanders Bartlett
1/Nov/2025If you're dealing with a skin infection, please don't feel bad if Fucidin didn't work. It's not you. It's not your hygiene. It's not your fault. Antibiotics are powerful tools, but they're not perfect. And the fact that your doctor is even considering alternatives means they care. Talk to your pharmacist-they know what's available, what's covered, and what might work better for your skin type. You're not alone in this. There are options. And you deserve to feel better, not just treated.
Melissa Delong
1/Nov/2025There is no evidence that antibiotic resistance is increasing. This is a manufactured crisis designed to push expensive alternatives. The NHS has a budget to justify. The WHO has a mandate to alarm. The pharmaceutical industry has a product to sell. Fucidin has been used safely for over 60 years. The resistance figures are cherry-picked from urban clinics. Rural areas still see 90% efficacy. You are being manipulated. Do not surrender your autonomy to fear-based medicine.
Marshall Washick
1/Nov/2025I used to think antibiotics were the answer. Then I had a recurring infection that kept coming back. I stopped using everything for a while. Let my body heal on its own. Cleaned the area. Kept it dry. Ate less sugar. Slept more. And you know what? It cleared up. Not overnight. But it did. I didn’t need a new cream. I needed rest. I needed patience. I needed to stop treating my skin like a broken machine. Maybe we’re all just trying too hard to fix what’s trying to heal itself.
Abha Nakra
1/Nov/2025My sister in Mumbai had a bad leg ulcer. Doctor gave her fusidic acid-it worked for a week, then stopped. Then we tried silver sulfadiazine. Better. Then we switched to honey dressing from the hospital’s wound care program. After 3 weeks, it was closing. No antibiotics. Just clean, moisture, and time. In India, we don’t always have access to the ‘best’ creams. But we learn to use what works with what we have. Sometimes, the simplest thing is the most powerful. Don’t underestimate clean water and patience.
Neal Burton
1/Nov/2025You people are so naive. You think resistance is the only problem? What about the fact that fusidic acid is structurally similar to macrolides? That means cross-resistance. That means if you’ve ever taken azithromycin for a sore throat, Fucidin was already doomed. And don’t even get me started on how the NHS underfunds microbiology labs. Swab tests? Ha. You’re lucky if they even look at the culture. They just prescribe based on ‘protocol.’ You’re not getting better. You’re just being cycled through a broken system. And you’re thanking them for it.
Tamara Kayali Browne
1/Nov/2025Analysis of the provided content reveals multiple logical inconsistencies. The assertion that mupirocin is ‘often preferred over Fucidin’ contradicts NICE guidelines, which still list fusidic acid as first-line for impetigo in children under 12. Furthermore, the claim that retapamulin is ‘not routinely stocked’ is inaccurate-Altabax is available in 92% of UK community pharmacies as of Q1 2024. The article misrepresents clinical evidence to favor newer, more expensive agents without acknowledging cost-effectiveness data from the British Association of Dermatologists. This is not informative. It is promotional.
Nishigandha Kanurkar
1/Nov/2025They’re lying. All of it. Fucidin doesn’t cause resistance-it’s the vaccines. The vaccines are weakening our immune systems, so the bacteria adapt faster. That’s why everything fails now. They don’t want you to know. They don’t want you to use natural remedies. They want you dependent on the system. Tea tree oil? It’s been banned in 14 countries because it’s too effective. They’re scared. The government is in bed with Big Pharma. Don’t use any of these creams. Go to the woods. Find a plant. Your body knows what to do. They just don’t want you to remember.