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Scalded skin syndrome - Treatment

Alternative Names

Ritter disease; Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSS)

Treatment:

Intravenous antibiotics for staphylococcus are given to help fight the infection. Because much fluid is lost through the open skin, it's important to get intravenous fluid to prevent dehydration.

Moist compresses to the skin may improve comfort. You can apply an emollient to keep the skin moist. Healing begins about 10 days after treatment.

Expectations (prognosis):

The prognosis is usually excellent. A full recovery is expected.

Complications:

Fluid regulation problems causing dehydration or electrolyte imbalance
Poor temperature control (in young infants)
Severe bloodstream infection (septicemia)
Spread to deeper skin infection (cellulitis)

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if you have symptoms of this disorder.

Reviewed last on: 12/1/2009
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Korman NJ. Macular, papular, vesiculobullous, and pustular diseases. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 465.

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