Why Self-Medication With Antibiotics Is Fueling India’s Silent Health Crisis

Last Updated:November 23, 2025, 13:13 IST

Antibiotics have become common household essentials. While this reliance on self-medication may seem harmless, doctors warn that it is contributing to antibiotic resistance.

Across India, antibiotic pills, ear drops and skin creams have quietly slipped into the role of household essentials – used as casually as balms or moisturisers. A rash, discharge, itch, cold or redness is often met with the same instinctive response: reach for an old prescription or leftover tube. This dependency on self-medication feels harmless, but doctors warn it is driving one of the most alarming health crises of our time – antibiotic resistance.

Self-Medication Fuels Resistance

According to Dr Saloni S. Rajyaguru, Ear, Nose & Throat Clinic, Chembur, Mumbai, repeatedly relying on past prescriptions is extremely dangerous. “Many patients assume that if a certain antibiotic worked earlier, it is safe to use again whenever symptoms reappear. This assumption is not only incorrect. It can be dangerous,” she explains.

She adds that such habits are directly contributing to a surge in resistant infections. “Inappropriate and repeated use of antibiotics is making once-simple infections far more difficult to treat. We no longer have a steady pipeline of new antibiotics, and resistance is rising much faster than innovation.”

The misuse extends beyond oral pills. Dr. Maheshkumar Lakhe, Consultant in Infectious Diseases, highlights the rampant and misguided reliance on topical creams and drops. “Antibiotic creams and drops have become a new addition to the list of groceries in most Indian households. A small rash or irritation pushes people to use these products without realising they can cause far more harm than good,” he says.

Not Every Rash Or Redness Is Bacterial

A major problem is misdiagnosis at home. Most people assume redness, pain, or swelling means bacterial infection. But as Dr Rajyaguru stresses, viral, fungal and allergic conditions can look almost identical. “Using antibiotics in these situations may worsen the condition and prolong recovery,” she notes.

Dr Lakhe echoes this concern, especially for skin and eye conditions. “Many popular creams contain both antibiotics and steroids. The steroid offers instant relief, but the infection continues to multiply underneath. Continuous use leads to thinning skin, resistant infections and serious eye complications.”

The Hidden Impact: Resistant Infections And Delayed Care

Reusing old medications doesn’t just fail to cure the infection; it can also lead to severe health consequences. It also complicates the doctor’s ability to treat it. “When a patient takes antibiotics before a consultation, the symptoms get partially suppressed and cultures become unreliable,” Dr Rajyaguru explains. This delay can turn minor ENT conditions into persistent ear discharge, chronic sinus issues or worsening throat infections.

Dr Lakhe adds that these shortcuts often lead to long, stubborn infections. “A minor ringworm patch becomes widespread. A slight eye irritation turns severe. By the time they seek help, the bacteria may be resistant to available medicines.”

The message from experts is unmistakable: antibiotics, whether in pill, drop, or cream form, are powerful medical tools that require professional guidance. Self-medication may seem convenient, but it risks ineffective treatment, complications and a future where routine infections become untreatable. Early diagnosis, responsible use and doctor-led care remain essential to protect individual health and safeguard antibiotics for future generations.