Further Inpatient Care

Further inpatient care for patients with staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) involves fluid rehydration, local burn/wound care, and eradication of the underlying infection.

Transfer

Patients with severe disease may require ICU or burn unit care.

Deterrence/Prevention

Deterrence and prevention may involve the following:

Avoidance of the primary staphylococcal infection that may lead to the toxic syndrome
Timely treatment of established staphylococcal infections
Identification and treatment of asymptomatic carriers

Complications

Complications of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome may include the following:

Dehydration
Shock
Hypothermia
Generalized bacteremia and/or sepsis
Local or remote spread of infection
Secondary infections
Scarring, disability, and death

Prognosis

Prognosis of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) in children is excellent, with complete healing typically occurring in 10 days without significant scarring.

Prognosis of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in adults depends on the host's immune status, the speed in initiating proper treatment, the course of the infection, and the occurrence of complications. Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome in adults carries significant rates of morbidity and mortality.

Questions

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Media Gallery

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Photograph by David Effron, MD, FACEP.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Photograph by David Effron, MD, FACEP.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Photograph by David Effron, MD, FACEP.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Photograph by David Effron, MD, FACEP.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Photograph by David Effron, MD, FACEP.
Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Photograph by David Effron, MD, FACEP.

of 6

Author

Randall W King, MD, FACEP Assistant Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine; Director, Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chief Medical Information Officer, Chief of Staff Elect, Mercy St Vincent Medical Center

Randall W King, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, Council of Residency Directors in Emergency Medicine, American Medical Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Heather Lyn Carone, MD Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Vincent Mercy Medical Center

Heather Lyn Carone, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paul R de Saint Victor, MD, FACEP Chief of Staff, St Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo

Paul R de Saint Victor, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Heart Association, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Chief Editor

Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor, III, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, University of South Carolina School of Medicine; Attending Physician / Clinical Instructor, Compliance Officer, Department of Emergency Medicine, Prisma Health Richland Hospital

Jeter (Jay) Pritchard Taylor, III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Association, Columbia Medical Society, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, South Carolina College of Emergency Physicians, South Carolina Medical Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Employed contractor - Chief Editor for Medscape.

Additional Contributors

Daniel J Dire, MD, FACEP, FAAP, FAAEM Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Joe R and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

Daniel J Dire, MD, FACEP, FAAP, FAAEM is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, Association of Military Surgeons of the US

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the medical review of this article by Joseph U Becker, MD.