How to Tell If Your Rash Is Toxic Shock Syndrome

Cristina Mutchler
·5 min read

Medically reviewed by Casey Gallagher, MD

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening illness that happens as a result of certain infections. It can develop suddenly and cause symptoms like high fever, muscle aches, rapid heartbeat, and a distinct rash. This sunburn-like rash usually covers large body areas and involves skin peeling.

This article discusses the toxic shock syndrome rash, including how it's treated and how to prevent it.

<p>Alicia Fdez / Getty Images</p>

Alicia Fdez / Getty Images

What Does a Toxic Shock Syndrome Rash Look Like?

A telltale sign of TSS is experiencing a widespread, flat rash that covers much of the body.

This rash is often described as a sunburn, with excessive skin peeling that happens a week or two after the rash appears. The peeling may be especially noticeable on the palms of the hand or the soles of the feet.

Other Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome

In addition to the characteristic sunburn-like rash, some of the other symptoms that come along with TSS can mimic flu-like symptoms, including:

What Causes Toxic Shock Syndrome?

Bacteria cause TSS. The most common strain with TSS is Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), though Streptococcus (strep) and Clostridium bacteria can also lead to TSS.

Although S. aureus naturally exists in the human body without any issue, it can trigger an infection if the bacterium enters the body of someone who hasn't developed natural antibodies against it. Instead of protecting the body and destroying the invaders, the immune system overreacts to the presence of the bacterium.

While cases of TSS have commonly been linked to using high-absorbency tampons, there are other possible ways to contract this illness, including:

The chances of developing TSS are greater if you've experienced it before.

Other Possible Causes of Your Rash

While a toxic shock syndrome rash is usually pretty distinctive, you may be experiencing another trigger for your skin irritation, especially if you aren't noticing the other serious signs of TSS.

Sunburn

A TSS rash may look most similar to a sunburn. However, a sunburn rash usually only occurs on skin exposed to the sun. Both trigger widespread redness in people with lighter skin tones and lead to skin peeling, but there are a few differences.

A TSS rash involves skin peeling off in large portions, usually on the palms of the hands and the bottoms of the feet, which isn't typical of a sunburn. It also comes with flu-like symptoms that wouldn't be seen with a sunburn. People with darker skin tones may not experience visible redness with either condition.

Heat Rash

A heat rash is skin irritation with small bumps that make your skin feel itchy and tingly. It's triggered by hot and humid weather and usually develops on parts of the body where skin rubs against skin, like the arms, groin, and underneath the breasts.

With a heat rash, aside from the rash, you likely wouldn't notice any other symptoms or feel unwell, the way you would with a TSS rash.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when your skin is exposed to an irritating substance. It causes an itchy, dry rash that may appear red or discolored depending on your skin tone. Commonly affecting the hands, feet, neck, face, and lower legs, contact dermatitis can come on suddenly or develop more slowly.

Similar to a TSS rash, contact dermatitis rash can spread from the original site of the irritation and potentially cause an infection.

Rosacea

Rosacea is an inflammatory skin condition that causes a rash, usually on the face. This type of rash can appear like flushing or a patch of swollen, clustered, potentially red bumps that may contain pus.

Experts believe rosacea flares are triggered by external factors like ultraviolet (UV) light or other environmental sensitivities. Unlike TSS, the rosacea rash is the main symptom. However, like TSS, rosacea can come with eye irritation and redness, leading to bloodshot eyes.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes inflamed, painful skin irritation that may be warm to the touch and involve blisters. It commonly develops from strep bacteria, one potential trigger for TSS.

Cellulitis can come with serious complications if not treated with antibiotics. Like TSS, a severe cellulitis case can require emergency care with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and other intensive treatment.

How Toxic Shock Syndrome Is Treated

Because TSS can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation, it's important to get medical attention as soon as possible to prevent severe complications. TSS requires treatment with hospitalization and IV antibiotics (like penicillin) for at least several days to resolve the infection.

A healthcare provider will give you IV fluids to replace lost fluids. Other supportive care tactics to help manage complications and speed up recovery, include:

How to Prevent Toxic Shock Syndrome

The main tactics for preventing TSS revolve around proper tampon usage and hygiene. This starts with choosing tampon products carefully, which includes:

People who use tampons should be aware of TSS symptoms and be advised to seek urgent medical care if they develop. And because TSS is linked to certain contraceptive devices, anyone who is interested in using those products should discuss it with their healthcare provider and carefully follow instructions on the medication label.

Anyone who's previously experienced a case of TSS should avoid tampon use altogether to prevent a repeat occurrence.

Summary

A toxic shock syndrome (TSS) rash is a widespread, sunburn-like skin irritation that often spreads to the palms and soles of the feet and eventually causes skin peeling. You'd also notice flu-like symptoms like fever and muscle aches with TSS, along with the telltale rash.

Because TSS can quickly develop into an emergency with life-threatening complications, anyone who notices this rash should seek immediate medical attention.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.