Skin and soft tissue infections in injection drug users

Skin and soft tissue infections are the most common cause for hospital admission of injection drug users. Cutaneous and subcutaneous abscesses, often accompanied by cellulitis, are the most common infections and usually result from subcutaneous injections ("skin popping"). Life-threatening infections include necrotizing fasciitis and myonecrosis. Chronic venous ulcers are a common, debilitating problem that can persist for years beyond active use of injected drugs.