Scalded skin syndrome
A WA mother has warned parents to trust their instincts after her daughter was struck down with the unsightly and potentially life-threatening scalded skin syndrome.
Parent warning as Kalgoorlie toddler struck down with scalded skin syndrome
Rob ScottPerthNow
April 24, 2019 6:53PM
Public HealthWA NewsKalgoorlie MinerRegional WA
Two-year-old Rosalee was covered from head to toe in what looked like third degree burns, but this was no ordinary childhood rash.
The Kalgoorlie toddler had a Staphylococcal infection known as scalded skin syndrome — a rare but potentially life-threatening illness.
Her mother Diane McConachie said it only took one day for the unsightly symptoms to appear.
"We couldn't even cuddle her because it was to painful for her," she said.
"It's like sunburn, it just looks like, it looks like you've literally just poured boiling water over your child, like they're just covered in red, hot burns."
Doctors sent her home three times, believing it was an allergic reaction.
Eventually the two-year-old was flown to Perth and rushed to the Burns Unit.
"Her nappy area was like tomato red," Ms McConachie said.
Once Rosalee was given antibiotics it only took six hours for her parents to begin seeing signs of improvement.
But they said if they hadn't pushed doctors to do more, they hate to think what could have happened.
"If you think something's not right and if it's not getting better, especially if they've started treatment — push it," Ms McConachie said.