Can I Put Antibiotic Ointment on My Incision? A Guide to Post-Surgical Wound Care

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

The CDC's guidelines for preventing surgical site infections explicitly recommend against applying topical antimicrobial agents to surgical incisions [1.8.1, 1.8.6]. This raises the question: can I put antibiotic ointment on my incision for better healing?

Quick Summary

Medical guidance, including from the CDC and American Academy of Dermatology, advises against routinely using antibiotic ointment on surgical wounds [1.2.1, 1.8.1]. Plain petroleum jelly is often recommended instead to keep the wound moist and aid healing [1.3.1, 1.4.1].

Key Points

Follow Your Surgeon: The most crucial rule is to follow the specific wound care instructions provided by your surgical team [1.5.2, 1.5.4].
Avoid Routine Antibiotics: The CDC and American Academy of Dermatology do not recommend routine use of topical antibiotic ointments on surgical incisions [1.2.1, 1.8.6].
Use Petroleum Jelly: Many medical institutions, like Stanford and Kaiser Permanente, recommend using a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly (Vaseline) instead of antibiotic ointment [1.2.3, 1.2.4].
Risk of Allergy: Topical antibiotics like Neosporin and Bacitracin carry a risk of allergic contact dermatitis, which can mimic an infection [1.7.2, 1.7.5].
Moisture is Key: Keeping a wound moist with an occlusive ointment like petroleum jelly helps it heal better and with less scarring [1.4.1, 1.4.6].
Know Infection Signs: Watch for increasing pain, redness, pus, foul odor, or fever, and contact your doctor if these symptoms appear [1.6.2, 1.6.4].
Clean Gently: When cleaning, use mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol unless directed by a doctor [1.5.5].

To Use or Not to Use: The Expert Consensus on Ointments

After surgery, proper care of your incision is critical for healing and preventing complications. A common question that arises is, "Can I put antibiotic ointment on my incision?" While it may seem like a good way to prevent infection, most current medical guidelines, including those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Dermatology, advise against the routine use of topical antibiotics on surgical wounds [1.2.1, 1.8.1]. Many healthcare providers, including those at Stanford Medicine and Kaiser Permanente, specifically instruct patients to avoid these ointments and use plain petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) instead [1.2.3, 1.2.4].

Studies have shown that for clean, sterile surgical wounds, antibiotic ointments offer no significant advantage over non-antibiotic options like petroleum jelly in preventing infection or improving healing rates [1.2.1, 1.4.2]. Keeping the wound moist is the key factor, as this prevents scabs from forming and allows the body's natural healing processes to work more effectively [1.4.4, 1.4.6]. A dry wound can actually slow down the healing process [1.2.5].

Why Experts Advise Against Antibiotic Ointments

There are several key reasons why healthcare professionals are moving away from recommending over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointments for surgical incisions:

Allergic Contact Dermatitis: One of the most significant risks is an allergic reaction to the active ingredients, most commonly neomycin and bacitracin [1.7.2, 1.7.3]. These reactions can cause redness, itching, and irritation, which can be mistaken for a wound infection, leading to unnecessary anxiety and incorrect treatment [1.7.5]. Some studies report allergy rates to bacitracin and neomycin as high as 9.2% and 13%, respectively, in certain patient groups [1.4.7].
Lack of Superiority: Multiple studies have found no difference in infection rates for clean surgical wounds treated with antibiotic ointment versus those treated with plain white petrolatum [1.2.1, 1.4.7]. Petroleum jelly provides the necessary moisture to aid healing without the added risks [1.4.5].
Antibiotic Resistance: The overuse of antibiotics, even topical ones, can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While topical use is less of a driver than systemic antibiotics, it is still a consideration in modern medical practice.
Trapping Moisture: Paradoxically, some ointments can trap too much moisture against the skin, making the edges of the incision too soft and potentially causing them to open up (a process called dehiscence) [1.3.5, 1.2.6].

Comparison: Antibiotic Ointment vs. Petroleum Jelly


Feature	Topical Antibiotic Ointment (e.g., Neosporin)	Plain Petroleum Jelly (e.g., Vaseline)
Infection Prevention	Not shown to be more effective than petroleum jelly for clean surgical wounds [1.2.1, 1.4.7].	Creates a protective barrier that keeps out dirt and bacteria, effectively preventing infection in clean wounds [1.4.6].
Wound Healing	No evidence that it heals minor wounds faster than petroleum jelly [1.2.5]. Keeps wound moist.	Promotes a moist environment, which is ideal for healing and can help minimize scarring [1.4.1, 1.4.4].
Risk of Allergy	Higher risk of allergic contact dermatitis, especially from ingredients like neomycin and bacitracin [1.7.2, 1.4.7].	Very low risk of allergic reaction [1.4.2].
Expert Recommendation	Generally NOT recommended for routine surgical wound care by major health organizations [1.2.1, 1.8.6].	Frequently recommended by dermatologists and surgeons for post-operative care [1.3.1, 1.4.1].

Proper Surgical Incision Care

Always follow the specific instructions given by your surgeon, as they are tailored to your procedure and health status. However, general guidelines for incision care often include these steps:

Hand Hygiene: Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching your incision or changing the dressing [1.5.1, 1.5.4].
Dressing Changes: Your doctor will tell you how long to keep the initial dressing on and how often to change it. When changing, gently remove the old bandage [1.5.4].
Gentle Cleaning: Clean the area as directed by your provider. This usually involves gently washing with mild soap and water, allowing the water to run over the incision rather than scrubbing it [1.5.5]. Avoid harsh products like hydrogen peroxide or alcohol unless specifically instructed, as they can damage healing tissue [1.5.5].
Pat Dry: Gently pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the incision [1.5.1].
Apply Ointment (if recommended): If your doctor advises it, apply a thin layer of plain petroleum jelly to keep the wound moist and prevent sticking to the bandage [1.2.3, 1.4.3].
Cover the Wound: Apply a clean, sterile bandage. A non-stick pad is often best [1.2.7]. Keeping the wound covered protects it from germs and friction from clothing [1.5.6].

Recognizing Signs of an Infection

While proper care significantly reduces risk, it's vital to know the signs of a surgical site infection (SSI). Mild redness, slight swelling, and clear or blood-tinged drainage are often normal in the first few days [1.6.1, 1.6.5]. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

Increasing pain, redness, or swelling around the incision [1.6.4, 1.6.6].
Pus or cloudy, foul-smelling drainage from the wound [1.6.2].
The wound feeling hot to the touch [1.6.2].
A fever (greater than 101°F or 38.4°C) or chills [1.6.4].
The edges of the incision start to pull apart [1.6.1].

Conclusion

While it's a long-standing habit for many to reach for an antibiotic ointment for any skin break, modern medical advice for surgical incisions leans heavily against it. The evidence shows that for most clean surgical wounds, these ointments do not provide benefits over plain petroleum jelly and introduce risks like allergic reactions. The gold standard is to keep the wound clean, moist with a simple occlusive like petroleum jelly, and covered. Above all, the most important step is to follow the personalized wound care instructions provided by your surgeon.

For more information on preventing surgical site infections, you can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Frequently Asked Questions

Unless specifically instructed by your healthcare provider, you should not use Neosporin or other triple antibiotic ointments on a surgical wound [1.2.5, 1.3.1]. The risk of an allergic reaction often outweighs the benefits [1.3.4, 1.4.7].

For clean surgical wounds, studies show that plain petroleum jelly is just as effective at preventing infection as antibiotic ointments, with a much lower risk of causing an allergic reaction [1.2.1, 1.4.2]. It is the recommended choice by many dermatologists and surgeons [1.4.1].

While general guidelines have shifted, some doctors may recommend it for specific situations, such as for minor contaminated wounds rather than clean surgical incisions, or based on their clinical experience for a particular patient [1.2.1, 1.2.7]. Always follow your own doctor's advice.

Allergic contact dermatitis from an ointment typically causes itching, redness, and irritation [1.7.2]. An infection is more likely to involve pus, a foul odor, worsening pain, warmth, and fever [1.6.2, 1.6.4]. If you are unsure, stop using the product and contact your doctor.

No, this is a common myth. Wounds heal best when they are kept moist and covered [1.2.5, 1.4.3]. Leaving a wound open to the air can slow down the healing process.

Generally, you should gently wash the area with mild soap and warm water, then gently pat it dry with a clean towel [1.5.4, 1.5.5]. Avoid scrubbing the wound or using harsh cleansers like hydrogen peroxide unless your doctor instructs you to [1.5.5].

Key signs include pus or foul-smelling drainage, redness spreading away from the incision, increasing pain or swelling after the first 48 hours, the area feeling hot, and developing a fever [1.6.2, 1.6.5, 1.6.6].