Bacitracin is commonly used for which type of infections?

• A. Systemic bloodstream infections
• B. Skin infections
• C. Urinary tract infections
• D. CNS infections

Answer: (B)

Bacitracin is used primarily for superficial skin infections and minor wounds, because it works best on the bacteria that commonly colonize the skin and is applied topically. It is not given systemically because it can cause serious nephrotoxicity and is not absorbed well enough when taken by mouth or injected to reach effective levels for internal infections. That’s why it’s not used for bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, or central nervous system infections, which require systemic antibiotics that can reach those sites. In practice, bacitracin appears in over-the-counter topical ointments (often combined with other agents) for treating minor skin injuries and preventing infection.