Key TakeawaysNeosporin is an over-the-counter (OTC) topical antibiotic ointment that is commonly used to prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.Experts say that applying small amounts of Neosporin inside the nose can help with small cuts or crusting and may prevent minor skin infections.Overusing Neosporin in the nose can lead to allergies or irritation.

Key Takeaways

Neosporin is an over-the-counter (OTC) topical antibiotic ointment that is commonly used to prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.Experts say that applying small amounts of Neosporin inside the nose can help with small cuts or crusting and may prevent minor skin infections.Overusing Neosporin in the nose can lead to allergies or irritation.

Putting Neosporin or similar ointments near, on, or in more certain parts of your body, including your eyes, nose, and mouth, is not necessarily an effective or safe approach. Here’s what you should know before using Neosporin inside your nose or in another sensitive area.

Can I Use Neosporin for My Eye Infection?

What Is Neosporin?

Neosporin is an over-the-counter (OTC)topical antibioticointment commonly used to prevent infections that may occur after minor injuries, such as small cuts, abrasions, scrapes, and burns,Jesus Lizarzaburu, MD, a board-certified family physician in Yorktown, VA, told Verywell.

While generally safe touse as directed, some people may experience allergic reactions to one or more of the antibiotics in Neosporin, especially if it’s applied to sensitive areas (such as inside the nose), according to Lizarzaburu.

Should I Use Neosporin on a Cut?

Can You Use Neosporin Inside the Nose?

According to Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Neosporin, the antibiotic ointment is designed for external use only. The product has warnings against using it inside the nose, eyes, or mouth.

Neosporin is not recommended for deep wounds or the mucosal lining of the face, such as the nose and mouth. These parts of the body might be too sensitive for frequent applications of the ointment,Joaquin Villegas, MD, MPH, family medicine physician with UTHealth Houston, told Verywell.

However, in very small amounts, Neosporin may be applied in the nostrils to help with minor skin-related issues.

“I have recommended the use of small amounts of Neosporin in the nose for small cuts or crusting in the nose since its benefit in preventing small skin infections can be useful for this purpose,” said Villegas.

Linda Dahl, MD, an otolaryngologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital, told Verywell that Neosporin can be used inside the nose as long as it’s applied in in a thin layer along the rim and the ointment does not block the nostril.

“It should be used cautiously, in very small amounts,” said Dahl. “I have been recommending my patients to use it for many years.”

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What Are the Benefits of Putting Neosporin in Your Nose?

Neosporin and similar antibiotic ointments help reduce bacterial build-up in the nose and provide an additional layer of protection against bacterial infections, according to Dahl.It might be useful to put Neosporin in your nose to help:

A new study suggested that one of the ingredients in Neosporin, neomycin, can trigger an immune response that could help against viral infection.However, since the study was small (only 12 people), “the effectiveness of this is still up for debate,” said Villegas.

By itself, Neosporin will not prevent or treat viral infections like COVID-19 and influenza.

“Neosporin is an antibiotic, which only works against bacteria, so it would have no effect on viruses,” said Villegas.

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Are There Risks of Using Neosporin in the Nose?

One of the biggest safety risks of using Neosporin is the possibility of allergic reactions or irritation, especially when it is applied to sensitive areas like the inside of the nose, according to Villegas.

Excessive application of Neosporin or similar OTC topical antibiotics in the nasal region may trigger allergic reactions with symptoms like itching, redness, or swelling, added Lizarzaburu.

Another risk? If too much Neosporin is used in the nasal cavity, you could accidentally inhale it or swallow it. That’s a problem because “it is not meant to be ingested,” said Dahl. “It should be used cautiously, in very small amounts.”

You should also do a patch test on a small area of the skin to find out if you have any reactions before applying Neosporin to sensitive areas like the nose.

“I always recommend applying new ointment on the skin of your wrist and watch for any changes, to make sure that your skin can tolerate the ointment without any rashes or irritation,” said Villegas.

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How to Safely Apply Neosporin in Your Nose

To safely apply Neosporin inside your nose, Villegas recommends following these steps:

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Are There Alternatives to Neosporin for Nose Irritation?

Dahl said that there are some alternatives to Neosporin for nose problems, but the right one will depend on what you need to use it for.

There are prescription versions of Neosporin that are regularly prescribed for nasal infections, dry nose, and nosebleeds. “They are also recommended after nasal surgery, to help with healing,” said Dahl.

If you have questions about using Neosporin in your nose or whether there’s an alternative that might be a better option for you, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

What This Means For YouExperts say that using Neosporin in your nose can help with minor cuts, crusting, or infections. However, it’s important to use caution and apply it sparingly and in very small amounts to prevent accidental inhalation or ingestion, as well as to minimize the risk of potential allergic reactions.

What This Means For You

Experts say that using Neosporin in your nose can help with minor cuts, crusting, or infections. However, it’s important to use caution and apply it sparingly and in very small amounts to prevent accidental inhalation or ingestion, as well as to minimize the risk of potential allergic reactions.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can you put regular antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, in your eye to treat a scratched cornea?.Neosporin.What is Neosporin and what is it used for?.Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.Grossman EM, Nanda S, Gordon JR, et al.Clearance of nasalStaphylococcus aureuscolonization with triple antibiotic ointment.J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(12):1490-1492.Mao T, Kim J, Peña-Hernández MA, et al.Intranasal neomycin evokes broad-spectrum antiviral immunity in the upper respiratory tract.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121(18). doi:10.1073/pnas.2319566121

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can you put regular antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, in your eye to treat a scratched cornea?.Neosporin.What is Neosporin and what is it used for?.Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.Grossman EM, Nanda S, Gordon JR, et al.Clearance of nasalStaphylococcus aureuscolonization with triple antibiotic ointment.J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(12):1490-1492.Mao T, Kim J, Peña-Hernández MA, et al.Intranasal neomycin evokes broad-spectrum antiviral immunity in the upper respiratory tract.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121(18). doi:10.1073/pnas.2319566121

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can you put regular antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, in your eye to treat a scratched cornea?.Neosporin.What is Neosporin and what is it used for?.Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.Grossman EM, Nanda S, Gordon JR, et al.Clearance of nasalStaphylococcus aureuscolonization with triple antibiotic ointment.J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(12):1490-1492.Mao T, Kim J, Peña-Hernández MA, et al.Intranasal neomycin evokes broad-spectrum antiviral immunity in the upper respiratory tract.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121(18). doi:10.1073/pnas.2319566121

American Academy of Ophthalmology.Can you put regular antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, in your eye to treat a scratched cornea?.

Neosporin.What is Neosporin and what is it used for?.

Neosporin.Frequently asked questions.

Grossman EM, Nanda S, Gordon JR, et al.Clearance of nasalStaphylococcus aureuscolonization with triple antibiotic ointment.J Drugs Dermatol. 2012;11(12):1490-1492.

Mao T, Kim J, Peña-Hernández MA, et al.Intranasal neomycin evokes broad-spectrum antiviral immunity in the upper respiratory tract.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2024;121(18). doi:10.1073/pnas.2319566121

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