Dermatology - Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

Dermatology - Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome 
In infants and young children, Staphylococcus aureus generates exfoliating toxins that cause the skin to peel off. After the synthesis, absorption, and subsequent host response that the poison triggered, illness develops.

The localized form is characterized by intact, clustered flaccid purulent bullae that, when burst, produce crusty or wet red erosions. In an intertriginous area, lesions are frequently grouped together. In the generalized form, the earliest symptoms include a fine, stippled, sandpaper-like appearance, a widespread, ill-defined erythema, or a macular scarlatiniform rash (staphylococcal scarlet fever syndrome). The affected area turns painful and the erythema develops during the course of a day. The rash starts out on the face, neck, axillae, and groins before spreading over the course of 24 to 48 hours.
Subsequent sloughing of the epidermis's surface layers is especially noticeable on the face and at the pressure points located in the flexural areas of the neck, axillae, groins, and back. Epidermolysis is characterized by wrinkled epidermis that can be removed with light pressure (skin feels like wet tissue paper) (Nikolsky sign). Some babies have flaccid bullae, which become red, wet erosions when they are unroofed. Desquamation happens when the body heals.

Clinical diagnosis is made, and bacterial culture confirms the diagnosis. Scarlet fever, severe cutaneous medication eruption, and Kawasaki syndrome are among the differential diagnoses.

Administer systemic antibiotics to address infection and prevent the generation of toxins.