Mupirocin ointment is an antibiotic ointment used especially for staph infections. It is often used in the nose to reduce the presence of the staph bacteria, as it often lives in the nose and can spread from there to infect other areas of the body. Sometimes it's used prior to a surgery to reduce the possibility of a staph infection complicating the surgery. You need to ask the doctor who prescribed it specifically how you should be using it in your case. He or she probably has very specific recommendations and a general answer from a doctor not knowing your situation will not be adequate. Contact the prescribing doctor and ask specifically how you should be using the medicine. Hope this helps.