DefinitionScalded skin syndrome is a skin infection in which the skin becomes damaged and sheds.Alternative NamesRitter disease; Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSS)Causes, incidence, and risk factorsScalded skin syndrome is caused by infection with certain strains of bacteria in the Staphylococcus family. During the infection, the staphylococci produce a poison that causes the skin damage. The damage creates blisters as if the skin were scalded.Scalded skin syndrome is found most commonly in infants and children under the age of 5.SymptomsBlistersFeverLarge areas of skin peel or fall away (exfoliation or desquamation)Painful skinRedness of the skin (erythema), which spreads to cover most of the bodySkin slips off with gentle pressure, leaving wet red areas (Nikolsky's sign)Signs and