Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome

Formerly known as toxic epidermal necrolysis, this is due to an epidermolytic exotoxin from a group 2 Staphylococcus (phage-type 71). It is uncommon. The child is ill, crying (because the skin is burning and tender to touch) and feverish. There is redness and peeling of the epidermis into sheets, leaving raw denuded skin beneath. Early recognition and treatment may be life-saving. A similar sheeting occurs in drug-induced toxic epidermal necrolysis.