Evolving Strategies in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Diagnostics, Stewardship, and Real-World Treatment Insights

Many skin infections are mistakenly diagnosed when noninfectious conditions like venous stasis or edema mimic infectious presentations, leading to unnecessary antibiotic use.

New diagnostic tools offer limited impact in improving skin infection classification, while rapidly growing mycobacterial infections complicate diagnosis and empiric therapy.

Effective empiric therapy requires balancing coverage for common bacteria while considering patient stability, adherence, and potential for chronic or atypical infections.

Long-acting antibiotics have evolved from niche treatments to key tools for preventing hospital admissions and improving infection management efficiency.

Earlier discharge enabled by long-acting antibiotics must be balanced with strong follow-up and social support to ensure successful recovery.

Broad-spectrum oral antibiotics play an important role in treating mixed or complicated infections, especially when both gram-positive and gram-negative coverage is needed.

The greatest need in managing skin infections lies in better coordination of care and follow-up rather than in developing new antimicrobial agents.

Efforts to shorten intravenous therapy and promote early oral transitions are reshaping how bacteremic skin infections are managed.