What does scalded skin look like?
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 does scalded skin syndrome start?
Scalded skin syndrome is caused by infection with certain strains of staphylococcus bacteria. The bacteria produce a toxin that causes the skin damage. The damage creates blisters, as if the skin were scalded. These blisters can occur at areas of the skin away from the initial site.
How long does scalded skin syndrome last?
The prognosis for staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is excellent, with full healing usually occurring within 10 days with no scarring. However, possible complications can lead to scarring, disability, and death. These complications include: Shock.
How is scalded skin syndrome spread?
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.
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 scalded skin syndrome contagious?
This infection produces a toxin that can affect skin all over the body. 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 does skin staph look like?
The infection often begins with a little cut, which gets infected with bacteria. This can look like honey-yellow crusting on the skin. These staph infections range from a simple boil to antibiotic-resistant infections to flesh-eating infections.