skin disorders
Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
Introduction
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome is a complication of a staphylococcal skin infection in which the skin blisters and peels off as though burned. In addition to the blistered, peeling skin, the person has fever, chills, and weakness. The diagnosis is based on the appearance of the skin, but sometimes a biopsy is done. With timely treatment, the prognosis is excellent. Treatment involves antibiotics given intravenously and skin care. (See also Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections .) Certain types of staphylococci bacteria secrete toxic substances that cause the top layer of the skin (epidermis) to split from the rest of the skin. Because the toxin spreads throughout the body, staphylococcal infection of a small area of skin may result in peeling over the entire body. However, most areas of peeling skin are not actually infected with the bacteria. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome occurs almost exclusively in infants and children under the age of 6. It rarely occurs in older adults except for those with kidney failure or a weakened immune system. 