What are the signs and symptoms of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?
They can include:
- Fussiness (irritability)
- Tiredness.
- Fever.
- Redness of the skin.
- Fluid-filled blisters that break easily and leave an area of moist skin that soon becomes tender and painful.
- Large sheets of the top layer of skin may peel away.
How is SSSS diagnosed?
How is SSSS diagnosed? Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is usually diagnosed based on medical history and a complete physical exam. In some cases, the doctor may order a skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. This test involves taking a small piece of skin to check under a microscope.
How does a baby get staph scalded skin syndrome?
Scalded skin syndrome is spread the same way staphylococcal aureus bacteria is spread. Epidemics may break out in nurseries when caregivers have been exposed to an infected baby or have the bacteria on their skin. Staphylococcus aureus infections are normally spread from skin-to-skin contact.
How do you treat SSSS in babies?
How is SSSS treated in a child?
- Antibiotic medicine given by IV (intravenous) line into the vein.
- IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Feedings through a tube from the mouth into the stomach (nasogastric feeding), if needed.
- Use of skin creams or ointments and bandages.
- Pain medicines.
How do you treat scalded skin syndrome?
Bacterial infections are often treated with topical antibiotics applied directly to the skin or with oral antibiotics. If the strain of bacteria is resistant to treatment, treating the infection may require intravenous antibiotics administered in the hospital.
How is impetigo distinguished from staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome?
In bullous impetigo, the exfoliative toxins are restricted to the area of infection, and bacteria can be cultured from the blister contents. In staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome the exfoliative toxins are spread hematogenously from a localized source causing widespread epidermal damage at distant sites.
What does SSSS look like?
SSSS tends to start with nonspecific symptoms in children; this may include irritability, lethargy, and fever. Within 24–48 hours, a painful widespread red rash develops on the skin followed by the formation of large, fragile, fluid-filled blisters (bullae).
What toxin causes SSSS?
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is the term used for a collection of blistering skin diseases induced by the exfoliative (epidermolytic) toxins (ETs) of Staphylococcus aureus.
Is staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome life threatening?
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome can cause mild disease or potentially it can progress to cause life-threatening complications. Such severe complications are rare in children, with the mortality rate below 5%.
What medication is used to treat scalded skin syndrome?
What is the treatment for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome? First-line: a penicillinase-resistant, anti-staphylococcal antibiotic such as flucloxacillin. Other options include: ceftriaxone, clarithromycin (for penicillin-allergy), cefazolin, nafcillin, or oxacillin.
Is scalded skin syndrome life-threatening?
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a response to a toxin produced by a staphylococcal infection and is characterized by peeling skin. The disease mostly affects infants, young children, and individuals with a depressed immune system or renal insufficiency. The disease can be life-threatening.
What toxin is responsible for scalded skin syndrome?
How is SSSS transmitted?
In SSSS the toxin spreads to the skin through the blood stream and specifically binds to a target protein very high in the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) producing total body reddening of the skin and blistering and sloughing of the skin resembling a hot water burn or scalding of the skin.
Is scalded skin syndrome life threatening?
How long does scalded skin take to heal?
Minor burns affecting the outer layer of skin and some of the underlying layer of tissue (superficial dermal burns) normally heal in around 14 days, leaving minimal scarring. If the burn is severe, you may be referred to a specialist.
Is scalded skin syndrome contagious?
Often the skin becomes damaged and sheds. SSSS is not a common condition. The Staph bacterium that causes SSSS can be passed from person to person (contagious).
What is the treatment for scalded skin syndrome?
Initial antibiotics therapy may include nafcillin, oxacillin or cephalosporin, and oral antibiotics should be considered in healthy patients who are still taking fluids well. In areas with a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) infection, vancomycin may be considered.
Is Staph scalded skin contagious?
SSSS is not a common condition. The Staph bacterium that causes SSSS can be passed from person to person (contagious).
How common is scalded skin syndrome?
SSSS — also called Ritter’s disease — is rare, affecting up to 56 people out of 100,000. It’s most common in children under 6.
Is staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome life-threatening?