A serious bacterial skin that resembles burnt-looking skin, skin peeling and blisters.
All persons carry this bacteria on the skin, however if one has a skin injury or cracked skin, the bacteria enters the skin and releases its toxins and breaks up the skin structure (the upper layer) causing the conditions symptoms.
It can enter the blood stream and cause more serious complications especially to those who have a weak immune system especially infants, children and those with kidney disease and/or those vulnerable to electrolyte imbalance i.e. sodium and/or potassium related conditions.
The application of gentle pressure to the skin will also cause sloughing (separation of dead from living tissue) which is known as a Nikolsky sign.
Isolation
Isolation is required (separate room) until the skin stops shedding and skin lesions have fully healed, this condition can spread, stay away from immunocompromised persons
Diagnosis tests
Culture tests at different sites i.e. throat, nose, skin (need to find where it started from)
Blood cultures
Skin biopsy
Cause
Bacteria:
Staphylococcus aureus (the bacteria involved releases its toxins to cause symptoms)
Source: https://www.pcds.org.uk/clinical-guidance/eczema-eczema-herpeticum 'Eczema herpeticum' Rash appear can appear anywhere on body of any size
Symptoms
High temperature greater than 38°C (100°F) or over and/or chills and sweats longer than 72 hours and approximately?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Sore throat for seven days or more?
Crusty sore: on babies in diaper region and/or and the area around the bellybutton are most often affected (point of bacteria entry), on children: the area around the mouth, eyes and ears is often affected on adults: it can be anywhere?
On skin red and/or tender skin, either limited to the entry point of the bacteria or widespread?
Skin resembling a hot water burn or scalding of the skin and/or have a wrinkled tissue paper–like consistency?
Easily broken blisters and shallow sore?
Peeling skin, which can come off in large sheets?
Rash spreads rapidly with a propensity to affect the area around the mouth (perioral area) and areas where the skin creases, especially on the legs, arms, groin and neck?
Irritability, anxiety and depression (short term) due to peeling skin?
Problem with attention (This could mean the person is inattentive and does not focus or that he or she can focus on tasks but at the expense of all else — failure to shift attention.)
Disorganised thinking (such as not being able to remember things or being confused)
Altered level of consciousness (hyper-alertness and on edge, or sluggish, drowsy or withdrawn)
Change is sudden and/or does it fluctuate over hours or days
General tips
Do not share towels, clothes or cutlery
Extra hygiene is essential including cleaning surfaces, vacuuming regularly.
Keep person in a sperate room and stay away from social and work environments until lesions have head and no more skin sheading.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Scalded Skin syndrome (Ritter Disease) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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