Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome (SSSS)

Staphylococcus is a gram-positive bacterium that belongs to the Staphylococcal family. Staphylococcus is known to cause a scalded skin syndrome in adults as well as children that look like the skin is getting peeled. As it is a bacterial disease, antibiotics work effectively against it. General Description About the SSSS Or Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

SSSS or Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome is a name given to the disease that looks like the peeling of the skin and is caused by the gram-positive bacteria ‘Staphylococcus’. In medical terms, Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome is also known by the following names:

• Ritter Disease
• Scalded Skin Syndrome
• Ritter von Ritter Schein Disease
• SSSS

Ritter Disease or Scalded Skin Syndrome is a serious disease. It is characterized by the peeling of the skin that occurs in many parts of the body.The peeling of the skin generally occurs in the months of summer when the weather is extremely hot.On viewing the skin, it appears as if the skin is burnt by an extremely hot liquid or the skin has been scalded from several parts of the body.

Mechanism of the Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome

By the name, it’s clear that the disease is caused by the bacteria known as Staphylococcus; it is evident that its infection leads to the development of the disease. Staphylococcus produces a toxin in the body of the individual. A toxin is a foreign substance that is harmful and is capable of entering the body and reaching the tissues from which it enters the bloodstream and causing severe infection.

In Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome, the infection spreads to the skin surface via the bloodstream and binds with the protein specifically located in the epidermis, i.e., the outermost layer of the skin, and this leads to the overall reddening of the skin throughout the body.

The skin appears to be sloughed, having blisters all over, which gives an illusion of being burnt by a hot liquid or substance. It also looks as if the blisters have been caused by the dropping of the hot water, which leads to the reddening and the scalded skin. The mucus membranes are not affected by the infection.

As it spreads to the epidermis, the top layer seems to come out or shed. It looks like someone has peeled the skin.

Signs and symptoms

1. The first sign and symptom of SSSS include fever. Fever is the first sign of any disease.
2. The fever experienced is generally a low-grade fever.
3. The redness and tenderness are felt on the sin. Chills and headaches are also experienced as the initial symptoms.
4. It is observed in some patients that non-specific symptoms occur before a skin infection is seen. For example, sore throat and reddening of the eyes, known as Conjunctivitis, are seen in individuals.

Symptoms of SSSS in children

The symptoms of SSSS in children vary from child to child. The symptoms of SSSS in a child are:

1. Irritability or fussiness is mood swings due to itching and redness.
2. Tiredness and lethargy because of low energy levels
3. A persistent low-grade fever accompanied by chills, nausea, and headache
4. Reddening of the skin
5. Blisters formed that are filled with a watery fluid. The blisters tend to break quickly and leave the adjacent skin moist and become red and tender with time, causing pain.
6. The entire skin gets peeled into sheets.

How is the diagnosis of SSSS done in a child?

When a parent goes to the doctor, and the doctor sees the above symptoms, The Staphylococcal scalded Skin Syndrome diagnosed in a child is dealt with seriously as the infections spread faster.

There are two ways of diagnosing it in a child.

1. Doing skin biopsy to diagnose the infection. A little piece of the skin is taken and diagnosed for the infection. If the segment of the skin appears frozen under the microscope, the infection is confirmed.
2. Cultures Several samples of the blood, urine, nose, throat, and skin are taken to check the infection. The culture of the belly button is taken in the case of an infant or a newly born.

How does the doctor treat the SSSS in a child?

The treatment of the SSSS varies from child to child. The health practitioner usually asks about the age of the child; the severity of the infection is monitored; the allergy to the different types of antibiotics is registered; the previous medications, if followed, are also checked, and last but not least, the vitals are examined.

On the basis of the above observations, the doctor may prescribe:

Antibiotics that are known to be effective against the Gram-Positive Bacteria, i.e., StaphylococcusIV fluids, are given so that the body remains hydrated during the treatment.Ointments are prescribed to soothe the skin.

Conclusion:

SSSS, or Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome, is a serious disease as it spreads to the entire body quickly, causing a weak immune system that can also lead to long-term complications. It is better to seek the help of a doctor immediately.