Research Progress in Photodynamic Therapy for Infectious Skin Diseases

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive therapeutic strategy that utilizes the synergistic interaction among a photosensitizer, light of a specific wavelength, and tissue oxygen to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby selectively destroying pathological tissues. Against the backdrop of increasingly severe global antibiotic resistance, PDT has demonstrated significant potential in the treatment of infectious skin diseases, owing to its unique multitarget mechanism of action and low propensity for inducing resistance. This review systematically elucidates the core antimicrobial mechanisms of PDT, summarizes its clinical advances in bacterial, fungal, and viral skin infections, and specifically discusses treatment strategies for special populations (such as children and pregnant women) and refractory cases. Finally, the article analyzes the current challenges in the clinical translation of PDT, including the lack of standardized treatment parameters and limited PS delivery efficiency, and offers perspectives on future directions, encompassing the development of novel PSs, the application of nanotechnology, and personalized treatment.