The Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections provide recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of these common infections. Soft-tissue infections are generally mild to moderate and can be treated with various agents. However, clinical assessment of infection severity is crucial, and several classification schemes have been proposed to guide treatment. Patients with systemic toxicity signs (e.g., fever, hypotension, tachycardia) should have blood tests to determine laboratory parameters, including blood cultures, complete blood count, and levels of creatinine, bicarbonate, creatine phosphokinase, and C-reactive protein. Hospitalization may be necessary for patients with severe infections or abnormal lab results, and definitive diagnosis should be pursued through Gram stain, culture, and surgical consultation. Emerging antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes (erythromycin resistance) is a concern, as these organisms are common causes of skin and soft-tissue infections. Empirical treatment for minor infections may include semi-synthetic penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, or clindamycin. However, 50% of MRSA strains have clindamycin resistance, and alternative treatments such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or tetracycline may be used. Patients with severe infections or those not responding to initial therapy should be treated more aggressively, with treatment based on Gram stain, culture, and drug susceptibility results. Impetigo, erysipelas, and cellulitis are common skin infections. Impetigo is often caused by S. aureus and/or S. pyogenes and may be treated with topical mupirocin or oral antibiotics. Erysipelas is a fiery red, tender plaque caused by streptococcal species, usually S. pyogenes, and is treated with penicillin. Cellulitis, a more diffuse infection, is often caused by streptococcal species and may be treated with penicillinase-resistant penicillin or first-generation cephalosporins. In cases of resistance or severe infection, vancomycin, linezolid, or daptomycin may be used. Necrotizing infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis and gas gangrene, are severe and require prompt surgical intervention. These infections are often polymicrobial and may involve Clostridium species. Treatment includes parenteral clindamycin and penicillin, along with other antimicrobials targeting aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Infections following animal or human bites may be caused by multiple bacteria, including Pasteurella species. Treatment depends on the depth and severity of the wound and may include oral or parenteral antibiotics. Human bites may involve aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and treatment may include ampicillin-sulbactam or cefoxThe Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections provide recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of these common infections. Soft-tissue infections are generally mild to moderate and can be treated with various agents. However, clinical assessment of infection severity is crucial, and several classification schemes have been proposed to guide treatment. Patients with systemic toxicity signs (e.g., fever, hypotension, tachycardia) should have blood tests to determine laboratory parameters, including blood cultures, complete blood count, and levels of creatinine, bicarbonate, creatine phosphokinase, and C-reactive protein. Hospitalization may be necessary for patients with severe infections or abnormal lab results, and definitive diagnosis should be pursued through Gram stain, culture, and surgical consultation. Emerging antibiotic resistance among Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pyogenes (erythromycin resistance) is a concern, as these organisms are common causes of skin and soft-tissue infections. Empirical treatment for minor infections may include semi-synthetic penicillin, first-generation cephalosporins, macrolides, or clindamycin. However, 50% of MRSA strains have clindamycin resistance, and alternative treatments such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or tetracycline may be used. Patients with severe infections or those not responding to initial therapy should be treated more aggressively, with treatment based on Gram stain, culture, and drug susceptibility results. Impetigo, erysipelas, and cellulitis are common skin infections. Impetigo is often caused by S. aureus and/or S. pyogenes and may be treated with topical mupirocin or oral antibiotics. Erysipelas is a fiery red, tender plaque caused by streptococcal species, usually S. pyogenes, and is treated with penicillin. Cellulitis, a more diffuse infection, is often caused by streptococcal species and may be treated with penicillinase-resistant penicillin or first-generation cephalosporins. In cases of resistance or severe infection, vancomycin, linezolid, or daptomycin may be used. Necrotizing infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis and gas gangrene, are severe and require prompt surgical intervention. These infections are often polymicrobial and may involve Clostridium species. Treatment includes parenteral clindamycin and penicillin, along with other antimicrobials targeting aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Infections following animal or human bites may be caused by multiple bacteria, including Pasteurella species. Treatment depends on the depth and severity of the wound and may include oral or parenteral antibiotics. Human bites may involve aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and treatment may include ampicillin-sulbactam or cefox