

Newborns are particularly susceptible because they do not have the antibodies to fight off the infection, and their kidneys cannot help clear the infection from the body. In anyone, the toxin can travel through the bloodstream to reach other areas. Older children may develop SSSS on their faces. In children, the bacteria may enter the body through a minor break in the skin, such as a cut, the umbilical stump, or diaper rash that breaks the skin. Outbreaks of SSSS can occur anywhere that children are in close contact, such as at day care centers. However, it can develop in adults who have kidney disease or a health condition that weakens their immune system. SSSS most commonly develops in newborns and children aged 6 years or younger. Encourage them to eat and drink plenty of fluids.Wash hands before, during, and after contact with the person.When caring for a person with SSSS at home, be sure to:

LIGHTSMITH STAPH SKIN
The skin will gradually heal over the next few days. Some severe cases of SSSS require treatment in a burn unit.Īfter treatment begins, people usually start feeling better in a day or two. If the areas of peeled skin are large or the staph infection is not responding to antibiotics, hospitalization may be necessary. Some people with SSSS may also need IV fluids to prevent dehydration. Ointments and creams can treat open wounds.Ĭommonly antibiotics for this treatment include: In addition, healthcare professionals may cover the lesions with sterile gauze or dressings to minimize any pain, limit further damage, and prevent further infection. They may also receive treatment via IV injection so that medication goes directly into the bloodstream. If the infection remains in one area, doctors call it “bullous impetigo.” When it travels through the bloodstream to other areas, doctors diagnose SSSS.Ī person can have oral antibiotics to treat the underlying staph infection. It sloughs off, revealing discolored, moist skin beneath.īlisters filled with pus or thin, clear or yellow fluid may develop at the site where the staph infection entered the body. The epidermis, the top layer of skin, cannot maintain its form with damaged desmoglein 1. The toxins interrupt a molecule called desmoglein 1, which is vital for cells in the epidermis to adhere to one another. SSSS occurs when bacteria in this genus produce toxins that enter the bloodstream and travel to the skin. There are more than 30 types of bacteria in this genus, and the type most commonly associated with disease is Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria are generally harmless, but they can cause infection when they enter the body through a wound. Many people carry Staphylococcus, or “staph,” bacteria on the skin or in the nose.
