Intravenous antibiotics used in dermatology

It is not common for dermatologists to use intravenous antibiotics in daily practice. However, there are several serious infections that may come to the attention of a dermatologist because of cutaneous signs and symptoms. It is important for dermatologists to be familiar with the presenting symptoms, various stages of disease, and treatment for such infections, as good outcomes are achieved by early recognition and use of appropriate therapy. The following section reviews the treatment, with a focus on intravenous antimicrobial therapy, for several serious infections important to dermatologists: syphilis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, cellulitis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio vulnificans, and necrotizing fasciitis.