Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, toxic shock syndrome, and Kawasaki disease

Three dramatic clinical syndromes have been compared and contrasted. Of these, staphylococcal scalded syndrome is most readily recognized and least likely to have a morbid or fatal outcome. It is easy to confuse toxic shock syndrome and Kawasaki disease. Since the case fatality rate is significant in both of these diseases, and the management so different, proper recognition of the disease by its external features is critical.