Concern Grows Over Rare Skin Condition in Wake County Children

Recently, several children have been treated in Wake County emergency rooms for a painful and rare skin issue.

Holly Rund recounted how her five-year-old daughter, Lexi, cried out in pain last weekend, finding it unbearable to be touched.

“Initially, I thought it might be hand-foot-and-mouth disease, especially after noticing a blister,” Holly said, remembering two blisters on Lexi’s legs and one on her side.

As Lexi’s discomfort increased, she complained of itchy skin.

“When I saw the one on her side, that’s when I really started to worry. It was yellow, swollen, and quite large,” Holly noted.

Lexi herself described her pain succinctly: “It really hurt.”

The concerned mother took Lexi to WakeMed Raleigh’s emergency department for an evaluation on Sunday.

It was there that they learned Lexi had staphylococcal scalding skin syndrome (SSSS), often referred to as Ritter’s Disease.

Lexi was kept overnight and received IV fluids and antibiotics during her treatment.

Dr. Graham Snyder, an emergency physician at WakeMed Raleigh, mentioned he had treated another patient with the same condition earlier that week—his first encounter with it this year.

“When I entered the room and saw that new patient, my first thought was it could be impetigo, which kids sometimes get from scratching mosquito bites,” Snyder explained. “But what stood out was the widespread redness and the pain the child experienced. Usually, rashes don’t hurt; they might itch, but a painful rash raises concerns about underlying issues.”

Snyder elaborated that the bacteria responsible for SSSS often thrive after a child has a cut or is frequently scratching due to allergies or eczema.

“The Staphylococcus bacteria, familiar as a cause of staph infections, releases a toxin that enters the bloodstream and damages the skin, similar to a burn,” he clarified.

He cautioned that this rash and sores might be misinterpreted by pediatricians as other ailments, like hand-foot-and-mouth disease.

“When pain is pervasive in the body and possibly combined with a fever, it should raise your suspicion,” Snyder advised.

This year, WakeMed has recorded six pediatric cases of SSSS, which Snyder noted isn’t an unusual number. However, a recent uptick in cases is a bit concerning.

WRAL reached out to Duke Health and UNC Health to inquire about any cases this year.

Duke Health reported no increase in cases, while UNC Health stated that they hadn’t seen any cases this year.

Holly urges other parents to take their children’s symptoms seriously and seek medical help promptly to prevent the condition from spreading.

“If you notice a bump that looks concerning, it’s worth going in. Better safe than sorry. I really don’t think it’s possible to overreact,” Holly said.

SSSS is contagious and can survive on surfaces for up to 24 hours. Although it can be serious for children, mild cases may resolve independently, according to the National Children’s Hospital.