Rationale for topical antibiotics.

Topical antibiotics are under attack by critics who claim that no proof of efficacy exists and that systemic administration is far more effective. In this paper, we review the existing evidence and conclude that topical antibiotics have a place in the prevention and treatment of superficial skin infections. Our own experimental studies showed that topical antibiotics promptly reduce the density of Staphylococcus aureus in secondarily infected chronic dermatoses, associated with clinical improvement. In addition, topical antibiotics were shown to be highly effective in preventing and suppressing experimental S. aureus infections in human volunteers.