Acne, Pimples and Skin Disorders |
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Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome, Symptoms and Treatment
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS)
is a response to a staphylococcal infection caused by a type of bacteria and characterized by peeling skin in which large sheets of skin may peel away. It can also strike other age groups who have weakened immune systems. Such immuno-compromised patients include those with kidney disease, people undergoing cancer chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, and individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Outbreaks of SSSS involving a large number of babies in neonatal wards are not uncommon and may persist for a long time if carriers of toxin producing S aureus are not rapidly identified and treated.
However, the incidence of Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome does not seem to be as common as might be expected. This might be the result of any combination of poor data collection and reporting of the disease, a lower than reported prevalence of toxin producing S aureus carriage, or a low incidence of disease in carriers, possibly because of high levels of protective antitoxin antibodies in the population.
The symptoms of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
In Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, skin becomes sensitive and uncomfortable even before the rash is fully visible. The rash starts out as bright red patches around the original area of crusting. Blisters may appear, and the skin may look wrinkled. When the blisters pop, they leave pitted areas. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a disease, caused by a type of bacteria, in which large sheets of skin may peel away.
Cause of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
Scalded skin syndrome is caused by infection with certain strains of bacteria called staphylococcus. During the infection, the staphylococci produce a poison that is responsible for the skin damage. Onset of the illness may be heralded by fever and skin tenderness.
Symptoms of Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
- Symptoms begin with an isolated, crusted infection that may look like impetigo.
- In newborns, the infection may appear in the diaper area or around the stump of the umbilical cord.
- In adults, the infection may begin anywhere.
- The disease usually begins with a fever and redness of the skin. Then, a fluid-filled blister may form. This blister ruptures very easily, leaving an area of moist skin.
- In all people with this disorder, scarlet-colored areas appear around the crusted area within a day of the beginning of infection.
- These areas may be painful. Then, other large areas of skin distant from the initial infection redden and develop blisters that break easily.
- The top layer of the skin then begins peeling off, often in large sheets, with even slight touching or gentle pushing.
- Within another 1 to 2 days, the entire skin surface may be involved, and the person becomes very ill with a fever, chills, and weakness.
- With the loss of the protective skin barrier, other bacteria and infective organisms can easily penetrate the body, causing what doctors call superinfections.
Treatment for Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
Treatment usually requires hospitalization, as intravenous antibiotics are generally necessary to eradicate the staphylococcal infection.
Specific treatment for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome will be determined by your physician based on
the age, severity, and other patient condition. penicillinase-resistant, anti-staphylococcal antibiotic such as flucloxacillin is used. Depending on response to treatment, oral antibiotics can be substituted within several days.
A variety of lotions and creams are available to apply to areas where the epidermis has peeled away. This both soothes the sensitive areas, and protects against drying and further moisture loss.
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