The Scalded Skin Syndrome

Scalded skin syndrome is also known in other terms such as Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and Ritter disease. This is an infection that usually affects infants including children that belongs under the age of five. The characteristics of scalded skin syndrome are reddening of the skin, damages to the epidermis and exfoliation or mark shedding.

Certain strains of bacteria that belong in the Staphylococcus family are the causes of scalded skin syndrome infection. All throughout the infection, the production of poison of the staphylococci virus keeps on going which is the one responsible for the skin damage. The onset reaction to this condition may usually include tenderness of the skin and also fever.

The reddening of the skin is the result of the first produced toxins of the virus. Normally fluid is collected beneath the skin that causes the loosening of the reddened skin while subsequently light rubbing and movements of the skin may cause large sheets of skin to pull away from it that will leave a raw and red base of skin. This skin effect is known as the Nikolsky sign. Eventually the raw red base of the skin dries out forcing it to crust over.

The symptoms of scalded skin syndrome are found very common among infants and young children. Symptoms may include fever, painful skin and infants appear to be quite ill. In severe cases tenderness and redness of the skin or erythema is experienced, it spreads and covers most areas of the body; with just a gentle pressure skin sips off that leaves wet raw areas and eventually large patches of skin falls away or peels off from its base which is otherwise known as desquamation or exfoliation. The symptoms may include complications such as fluid regulation problems, electrolyte imbalance poor temperature control especially in young infants, deeper skin infections such as cellulitis and severe bloodstream infection. 

Exams and test for the proper diagnoses of this condition may include the following; positive to the Nikolsky’s sign, electrolytes checking, skin biopsy, complete blood count and cultures of the throat and skin.
Scalded skin syndrome is treatable but the treatments will also depend on the severity of the case. Medications such as oral antibiotics and intravenous antibiotics may be given to affected people of this disease. Intravenous antibiotics medication is specifically given to help fight staphylococcus infection and because too much fluid has been lost through the broken and open skin, supplementation of intravenous fluid is very essential to prevent dehydration.

Other methods of treatment are moist compresses. These are applied to the skin to ease pain and improve comfort. Application of emollient to the affected areas will help maintain the moisture of the skin. With this type of medication, the healing process will begin at about ten days of followed treatment. Scalded skin syndrome is not a life-threatening condition, when affected immediate medical attention and treatment administration can make the infection go away. Usually when the prognosis is very excellent, a person with scalded skin syndrome can expect a full recovery.