[Acute skin disease due to staphylococcal infection (author's transl)]

Sixteen children with "scalded skin" due to staphylococcal infections are described [six cases of staphylococcal scarlet fever, 6 cases of bullous impetigo and 4 cases of toxic epidermal necrolysis (Lyell's disease--of which Ritter's disease is only the neonatal manifestation)]. The clinical features of each of these conditions are described, the common feature being the severity of the pathological changes. The role of the exfoliating toxin secreted by the pathogenic staphylococci mostly belonging to phagegroup II, phagetype 3A, 3N, 3C, 55 or 71) is emphasized. Treatment should be aimed at reducing secondary infection by strict asepsis and by eradicating staphylococci with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Corticosteroids have no beneficial effect. The outcome is good if these principles are applied strictly.