Topical preparations for wound healing.

Evidence-Based Answer Topical silver should not be used for treatment of nonburn wounds because it does not hasten healing. (Strength of Recommendation [SOR]: A, based on a systematic review of randomized controlled trials [RCTs].) Medical-grade topical honey can be used to reduce healing time for partial-thickness burns, but it produces no effect on lacerations, surgical wounds, chronic wounds, or vascular ulcers. (SOR: A, based on a systematic review of RCTs.) Topical antibiotics can be used to reduce the incidence of clinical infections in children with minor acute wounds. (SOR: B, based on a single RCT.) Mupirocin (Bactroban), bacitracin/neomycin/ polymyxin B ointment (Neosporin), and other topical preparations containing neomycin do not improve healing for biopsy wounds and may cause dermatitis and antibiotic resistance.