Mind the clock: Prompt recognition of staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome and development of septic shock

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is an exfoliative skin syndrome that occurs as a reaction to an exotoxin released by Staphylococcus aureus, and most commonly occurs in children and adults with renal failure or immunocompromised. Patients can have variation of severity, from localized blisters to generalized skin exfoliation involving all body surfaces. SSSS can be life-threating and should be diagnosed and treated promptly. This is a case of 51 y/o woman with hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiomyopathy, and renal failure for which has been receiving hemodialysis (HD) for the past 4 years that presented to the emergency department due to worsening shortness of breath and productive cough.
Source: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology - Category: Dermatology Source Type: research