Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Topical application
Introduction
In medicine, a topical medication is applied to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes, for example the vagina, penis, throat, eyes and ears.
Some hydrophobic chemicals such as steroid hormones can be absorbed into the body after being applied to the skin in the form of a cream, gel or lotion. Transdermal patches have become a popular means of administering some drugs for birth control, hormone replacement therapy, and prevention of motion sickness.
In dentistry, a topical medication may also mean one that is applied to the surface of teeth.
Chloramphenicol is an example of an antibiotic that may be used topically.