In the past decade the traditional methods of evaluating and treating skin and soft tissue infections have required significant re-assessment. There has been a resurgence of serious group A streptococcal infections including severe skin and soft tissue infections. Organisms not typically responsible for skin infections continue to be isolated from the skin as pathogens in patients with both normal and compromised immune systems. The development of new antibiotics for the treatment of skin infections with broader spectrums of activity and more convenient dosing regimens continues.