Is Aquaphor or Neosporin better for stitches?

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to many dermatologists and medical professionals, keeping a wound moist is a key factor in optimal healing and scar reduction. When it comes to the question, is Aquaphor or Neosporin better for stitches? many experts now favor the non-antibiotic route for routine care to minimize risks and promote healing.

Quick Summary

For most people with stitches, Aquaphor is the safer and often more effective choice, as many dermatologists now recommend avoiding triple-antibiotic ointments like Neosporin. Aquaphor creates an ideal moist healing environment with less risk of allergic reactions or antibiotic resistance.

Key Points

Choose Aquaphor: For most stitches, a non-antibiotic ointment like Aquaphor is the safer and more effective choice for healing and preventing scarring.
Avoid Neosporin: Many doctors advise against Neosporin on clean surgical wounds due to the risk of allergic reactions and contributing to antibiotic resistance.
Moist Healing is Key: Aquaphor creates a moist environment that promotes faster healing and can lead to a less noticeable scar than a dry scab.
Check for Allergies: Neosporin contains neomycin, a common allergen that can cause a rash or irritation, which is often mistaken for an infection.
Prioritize Simple Care: Unless your doctor specifies otherwise, stick to a routine of gentle cleaning with mild soap and water, followed by a non-antibiotic ointment.
Follow Doctor's Orders: Always follow the specific post-operative care instructions provided by your healthcare provider for the best results.

Understanding Your Wound Care Options

When caring for a wound closed with stitches, the goal is to create an optimal healing environment that minimizes the risk of infection and reduces scarring. The choice between a non-antibiotic emollient like Aquaphor and an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin is a common and important one. For decades, antibiotic ointments were the standard, but modern medical guidelines have shifted to favor a simpler, more moisturizing approach for most routine wound care.

The Case for Aquaphor: Moist Healing for Better Scars

Aquaphor Healing Ointment is a multi-purpose skin protectant, primarily composed of petrolatum. It works by creating a semi-occlusive barrier over the wound. This means it traps the skin's natural moisture, preventing the wound from drying out and forming a hard, thick scab. A wound that stays moist can heal more efficiently from the inside out, which is believed to result in a softer, less noticeable scar.

Safe and Gentle: Aquaphor is fragrance-free and formulated for sensitive skin, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of patients, including those with known sensitivities to common antibiotic ingredients.
Reduces Scab Formation: By keeping the wound moist, Aquaphor helps prevent the formation of a dry scab, which can slow healing and lead to more prominent scarring. Many wound care protocols specifically instruct patients to keep the wound "slimy" with a product like Aquaphor.
Less Risk of Allergic Reaction: Unlike Neosporin, which contains several antibiotics that can trigger allergic reactions, Aquaphor has a very low risk of causing contact dermatitis.

The Risks of Neosporin: Allergic Reactions and Resistance

Neosporin is a triple-antibiotic ointment containing bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B. While it is effective at killing certain bacteria, its use on surgical incisions is now often discouraged by medical professionals. The primary reasons for this include:

High Allergen Risk: A significant portion of the population has or can develop an allergic reaction to neomycin, one of the active ingredients in Neosporin. This can cause a rash, redness, swelling, and itchiness, which is often mistaken for an infection and can worsen the wound's condition.
Antibiotic Resistance: Overuse of over-the-counter antibiotic ointments is a major contributor to the growing public health problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA. For most clean surgical incisions, the risk of infection is low, and the body's natural healing process is sufficient, making the use of topical antibiotics unnecessary and potentially harmful.
Not More Effective: Several studies have shown that for minor wounds, an antibiotic ointment is no more effective at preventing infection than a non-antibiotic alternative like petroleum jelly or Aquaphor.

How to Properly Care for Your Stitches

Follow Doctor's Orders: Always follow the specific post-operative instructions provided by your doctor. These instructions are tailored to your specific type of wound and procedure.
Keep it Dry Initially: For the first 24 to 48 hours, most doctors recommend keeping the wound site clean and dry. Avoid getting the area wet.
Gentle Cleaning: After the initial period, gently wash the area with mild soap and cool water, typically once or twice a day. Avoid scrubbing the stitches directly.
Apply Ointment: After cleaning and gently patting the area dry, apply a thin layer of a non-antibiotic ointment like Aquaphor. This keeps the wound moist and protected.
Cover with a Non-Stick Bandage: Cover the wound with a non-stick dressing (like Telfa) and secure it with paper tape. This protects the wound from debris and rubbing. Change the dressing as instructed by your provider.
Avoid Submerging: Do not soak the wound in a bath, hot tub, or pool until your stitches are removed or dissolved, as this can increase the risk of infection.
Watch for Signs of Infection: Monitor the wound for increasing redness, swelling, drainage of pus, increasing pain, or fever. Contact your doctor immediately if these symptoms appear.

Aquaphor vs. Neosporin: At a Glance


Feature	Aquaphor Healing Ointment	Neosporin Triple Antibiotic Ointment
Primary Action	Creates a protective, moisturizing barrier.	Contains antibiotics to kill bacteria.
Key Ingredients	Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Lanolin Alcohol.	Bacitracin, Neomycin, Polymyxin B.
Recommended for Stitches?	Yes, by many dermatologists and wound care experts.	Generally No, for routine, clean surgical wounds.
Allergy Risk	Very low, as it contains no common allergens.	Higher, especially from Neomycin, which can cause contact dermatitis.
Antibiotic Resistance	Not applicable; it is not an antibiotic.	Risk of contributing to bacterial resistance with overuse.
Cost-Effectiveness	Generally more cost-effective per ounce.	More expensive due to active antibiotic ingredients.
Best for Healing	Promotes moist healing for better cosmetic outcomes.	Effectiveness for minor wounds is no greater than non-antibiotic alternatives.

Expert Consensus and Final Recommendations

Most medical professionals today will advise against using Neosporin on stitches unless there is a specific, high-risk reason prescribed by a doctor. For the vast majority of cases, a simple, non-antibiotic ointment like Aquaphor is the superior choice for post-surgical wound care. It effectively keeps the wound moist, which is the gold standard for reducing scarring and promoting a healthy healing process.

While Neosporin might seem like the more powerful option due to its antibiotic properties, the risks of allergic reactions and fostering antibiotic resistance outweigh any potential benefit for a standard, clean wound. Sticking with the gentle, protective, and hydrating power of Aquaphor allows the body to do what it does best: heal naturally and effectively.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific wound care needs.

For more information on wound care best practices, visit the American Academy of Dermatology's website.

When to Contact a Doctor

It is important to know when to seek medical attention during your healing process. Contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Increasing redness, swelling, or pain around the stitches.
Pus or cloudy, foul-smelling drainage from the wound.
Fever.
The wound or stitches open up.
An allergic reaction, such as a spreading rash or hives.
Your stitches do not dissolve or are not removed as expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Typically, doctors recommend keeping the wound and stitches dry for the first 24 to 48 hours. After this period, you can begin applying a thin layer of Aquaphor as instructed by your healthcare provider.

Neosporin is often not recommended for stitches because it contains ingredients like neomycin that can cause allergic reactions. Its overuse can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, and for most clean wounds, its antibiotic properties are not necessary.

Both Aquaphor and Vaseline (petroleum jelly) work similarly by creating a protective, moist healing environment. Many doctors recommend either for stitch care. Aquaphor contains added ingredients like panthenol and glycerin for extra moisturization, but both are effective, non-antibiotic options.

You should apply a thin layer of Aquaphor to the stitches once or twice daily, after you have gently cleaned the wound. Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for the frequency of application.

An allergic reaction to Neosporin can manifest as a spreading rash, redness, itching, and swelling at the application site. If you notice these symptoms, stop using the product and contact your doctor.

While Aquaphor cannot completely prevent a scar, keeping the wound moist with an ointment like Aquaphor is a proven method for improving the cosmetic outcome and reducing scar visibility. Preventing a thick, dry scab is key to a better scar.

It is not recommended to let stitches dry out completely. Keeping the wound moist, whether with Aquaphor or another suitable product recommended by your doctor, helps facilitate faster healing and can lead to less scarring.