I have been taking an antibiotic called Bactroban, AKA mupirocin, for three days to treat a recurring, unidentified skin infection which causes painful lesions, known as impetigo, on my scalp and face almost exclusively. Fortunately, cultures taken from one of the lesions were negative for MRSA, a highly antibiotic-resistant variant of staph which can be fatal. Bactroban has worked very well. My infections have shrunk dramatically and the pain all but subsided- in just three days! Unfortunately, I've had two side effects- one which I expected, and one which is really alarming. The first is a pretty bad yeast infection, but I usually get them when I take any antibiotic. The second may be the "deal-breaker" between Bactroban and me. My labia is dark red, inflamed, and three times its usual size. At times it is even a little painful to walk. The lips on my face are also a bit swollen.

I first tried Bactroban, roughly two years ago, to treat the same condition. I noticed the same side-effects then, but to a much lesser degree, and they subsided after only 24 hours. This time, though, the swelling on my lips and vagina seems to be getting worse. I am in a quandary. Of all of the myriad antibiotics I have taken to treat my impetigo, Bactroban has worked best. Some antibiotics, like amoxicillin and doxycycline, had no effect at all- beyond giving me yet another yeast infection! Bactroban, on the other hand, completely rid me if impetigo for six months.

My skin condition has been a painful, often embarrassing ordeal. I have multiple facial scars from past outbreaks which no amount of makeup can cover. I am missing a silver dollar-sized patch of hair on the back of my head from one especially bad lesion. Each new outbreak is worse than the last. This last episode partially swelled my right eye shut. Still, the doctors can't identify the bug. They say it might be many types, and my underlying problem may be immunological. Fortunately, I do not have HIV/AIDS.

That said, obviously, my swollen labia scares the s--t out of me. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter, and hope to have another child. Anything which might prevent me from having another child clearly trumps the possibility of more pain and scars. I have found no information on line about this particular side effect of Bactroban, and I can not reach my doctor. On the other hand, I know that stopping a course of any antibiotic before it is finished may actually worsen the unnamed bug or condition from which I suffer.

Any thoughts? Anyone? I'm pretty sure I'm going to stop taking the stuff.