If the patient have severe staphylococcus bacteria infection, the large amount of toxins may cause staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. It almost always affects babies and children. Symptoms include fever, rash and blister on skin. When the blister breaks, the top layer of the skin will come off too. The underlying red, raw skin surface is exposed, which appears like a burn. The patient needs to be hospitalized. Intravenous antibiotics such as flucloxacillin are generally necessary to eradicate the staphylococcal infection. Other antibiotics include nafcillin, oxacillin, cephalosporin and clindamycin. Paracetamol is used to reliever fever and pain. Petroleum jelly is applied to keep the skin moisturised. Patient usually can recover within 5-7 days.
How is Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome treated in practice?