What are the signs and symptoms of the infection?

Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome usually progresses in a predictable way. The infection starts out as a small rash, usually around the diaper area or belly button in babies. In an older person, the infection usually starts on the face. Within 24 hours, mild flu-like symptoms, such as fever and malaise, start to occur. The area around the rash begins to get red and painful. The rash may spread all around the body. Large blisters then form in affected areas of the skin. These blisters break easily and the skin peels off when touched, often in large sheets.

Within 48 hours, the person may become very ill, with chills and high fever. The surface skin begins to fall off on its own, usually all over the body. Dehydration or salt imbalances can occur from large amounts of fluid that weep or ooze out of the damaged skin.