The disease presents with the widespread formation of fluid-filled blisters that are thin walled and easily ruptured, and the patient can be positive for Nikolsky's sign.

[citation needed] The syndrome is induced by epidermolytic exotoxins (exfoliatin)[4] A and B, which are released by S. aureus and cause detachment within the epidermal layer, by breaking down the desmosomes.

These exotoxins are proteases that cleave desmoglein-1, which normally holds the granulosum and spinosum layers together, similar to the pathophysiology of the autoimmune skin disease, pemphigus vulgaris.

Conservative measures include rehydration, antipyretics (e.g., ibuprofen or paracetamol), management of thermal burns, and stabilization.

[citation needed] The prognosis of SSSS in children is excellent, with complete resolution within 10 days of treatment, and without significant scarring.

The prognosis in adults is generally much worse, and depends upon various factors such as time to treatment, host immunity, and comorbidities.