Does Intake Of Azithromycin Help In Curing Infected Heel Fissures?

Posted on Fri, 4 Mar 2016

Question: I have dry cracked heels. I was absentmindedly picking at my right heel while reading last week, and Now I think one of the fissures is infected. Very sore to the touch. Can't put weight on it. Sore for two days now. Emergency room condition? I have Azithromycin 250 mg I got for a cough about two weeks ago, but I did not take them since the cough got better. Can I take these for my heel?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes azithromycin can be taken for infected fissure

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic

I have gone through your complaints.

Yes you can take tablet azithromycin for your infected fissure. The dose is 500 mg daily 1 hour before meal.

Along with this I also recommend my patients to apply topical antibiotic like mupirocin or neosporin in the infected fissure twice daily till it heals.

Also start treatment for dry cracked heels so that fissures don't form in future. You can apply moisturising creams containing white soft paraffin twice daily on the feet frequently and liberally.

Wish you speedy recovery.

Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

The problem is not on the surface of the skin. It's almost like the fissure has closed up some and the soreness is slightly beneath the surface. Besides the Epsom salts, I have also soaked the area in hydrogen peroxide, but it never really stung like peroxide does on an open wound.

The prescription I got was for possible bronchitis and the directions are as follows:
"250mg. Take two tablets today and 1 tablet daily for the next four days."

You wrote that I should take 500mg per day. Will taking the regimen above be enough. I don't want to take less than necessary.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Take azithromycin 250 mg 2 tablets daily

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back back to HCM.

Yes you need to take tablet azithromycin 250 mg 2 tablets daily for 5 days.
If the fissure is closed no need to apply topical antibiotic.

Let me know in case of any further doubts.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee