Erythema ab igne eai, also known as hot water bottle rash, is a skin condition caused by longterm exposure to heat infrared radiation. Although the introduction of central heating has reduced eai, it is still found in individuals exposed to heat from other sources. You do not have access to the full text of this article, the first page of the pdf of this article appears above. Mar 23, 2010 historically, erythema ab igne was seen on the legs of women who sat next to coal stoves or fires. It begins as a mottling caused by local hemostasis and becomes a reticulated erythema, leaving pigmentation. Erythema ab igne or redness from fire is a persistent erythema that is usually produced by long term exposure to excessive heat without producing a burn. Erythema ab igne may be considered an infectious disease mimic. Historically, and before the advent of central heating, erythema ab igne was seen on the legs of individuals who sat or stood in front of heating devices. It is seen after prolonged exposure to moderate heat perhaps as short as 23 weeks 1, 2. Erythema ab igne eai is characterised by localised areas of reticulated netlike erythema and hyperpigmentation caused by chronic exposure to infrared radiation in the form of heat. It was once a common condition seen in the elderly who sat close to open fires. This disorder results from prolonged and repeated exposure to infrared radiation. Erythema ab igne eai is a skin reaction caused by chronic exposure to infrared radiation in the form of heat.
Space heaterinduced bullous erythema ab igne mdedge. Laptop computer induced erythema ab igne longdom publishing sl. Erythema ab igne is a localised, cutaneous condition consisting of reticulate hyperpigmentation, epidermal atrophy, and telangiectasias. Cases of erythema ab igne may prove to be diagnostically challenging due to lack of familiarity with the condition. Erythema ab igne is preventable, and, thus, clinicians. While this dermatosis carries a favorable prognosis, nonmelanoma skin cancers have been reported to arise within lesions of erythema ab igne. Exposure to infrared radiation creates a mottled appearance on the skin, usually appearing as blotchy, red, lacy patterns. Currently, erythema ab igne is most commonly observed following repeated use of hot water bottles, infrared lamps and heating pads. Erythema ab igne eai is a reticular erythematous hyperpigmentation of skin repeatedly exposed to moderate heat. Prolonged thermal radiation exposure to the skin can lead to the development of reticulated erythema, hyperpigmentation, scaling and telangiectasias in the affected area. Heat damages superficial skin vessels leading to vasodilatation and leakage of blood and deposition of hemosiderin. As an interesting side note, another group of people are starting to show erythema ab igne on their skin. In laptopinduced erythema ab igne, the localization on the thighs and asymmetry are characteristic.
If not properly treated, erythema ab igne can become chronic and even malignant. Historically, erythema ab igne was seen on the legs of women who sat next to coal stoves or fires. A histopathological study g rolland finlayson, md w mitchell sams, jr. Carver college of medicine department of dermatology 200 hawkins drive 40025 pomerantz family pavilion. Once a familiar entity in the precentral heating era, it seems to be making a comeback with prolonged usage of electronic devices close to the body surface as well as usage of alternative methods of pain relief being sought by patients.
Md from the division of dermatology, department of medicine, and the center for the study of aging, duke university medical center, durham, north carolina. Since 2004, there have been at least 10 reported cases of the condition or of burns related to laptop use. Erythema ab igne eai is a skin disease characterized by reticular hyperpigmentation due to prolonged and repeated heat exposure. Patients with erythema ab igne have a history of repeated exposures to heat at a lower level than that which causes a thermal burn.
The primary lesion is a redtobrown hyperpigmented with reticulated macule in areas of chronic heat exposure. Erythema ab igne is a skin condition usually caused by abnormal exposure to heat in a variety of forms. Request pdf erythema ab igne erythema ab igne is a reticulated, erythematous or hyperpigmented dermatosis that results from chronic and repeated. Erythema ab igne is an asymptomatic cutaneous disorder characterized by erythematous reticulated hyperpigmentation resulting from chronic exposure to infrared radiation in the form of heat. Erythema ab igne presents as livedo reticularislike lesions with eventual development of brown hyperpigmentation at sites of prolonged heat exposure 1. Erythema ab igne often occurs as a result from a chronic condition, because heat from hot water bottles is commonly used to relieve chronic pain. Erythema ab igne definition of erythema ab igne by the. In the past, eai most commonly affected people who spent excessive time in front of stoves, open fires and space heaters. Jan 11, 2000 erythema ab igne eai is a reticular, erythematous, hyperpigmented eruption that may occur after chronic exposure to moderate levels of infrared radiation in the form of heat. Erythema ab igne is now more commonly related to heating pads, water bottles, infrared lamps and laptop computer use with skin contact. The condition, erythema ab igne, is also known as toasted skin syndrome, and is characterised by mottledlooking skin resulting from prolonged exposure to heat or an infrared source. Erythema ab igne represents a skin condition caused by exposure to open fire.
Erythema ab igne is an asymptomatic cutaneous condition caused by exposure to heat. Dec 04, 2016 as an interesting side note, another group of people are starting to show erythema ab igne on their skin. Erythema ab igne eai is a localized skin lesion characterized by areas of reticulated erythema and hyperpigmentation. Treatment consists of removal of the heat exposure laptops, car seat heaters, space heaters, sauna belts 1. Pdf on feb 4, 2019, avinash kumar gupta and others published erythema ab igne find, read and cite all the research you need on. The initial manifestation is erythema, which eventuates. Erythema ab igne cleveland clinic journal of medicine. A clinical diagnosis of thermalinduced injury erythema ab igne was. In an era in which health care workers are increasingly being globalized and deployed to exotic locations, lesions such as in the patient presented here may be misinterpreted because of lack of awareness of certain culture practices and conditions.
The clinical manifestations of erythema ab igne are well known and consist of a reticulated red or brown macular eruption resulting from infrared radiation, occurring most commonly on the lower legs and backs of women. We see white and brown discoloration in more advanced changes. Clinicians should be aware of erythema ab igne, as it may be mistaken for a symptom of systemic disease, leading to unnecessary investigations or inappropriate therapy. Although the introduction of central heating has reduced eai of this type, it is still found in individuals exposed. A16yearold girl was admitted to the pediatric ser vice for a history of chronic abdominal pain, nau sea, and vomiting. The first page of the pdf of this article appears above. Erythema ab igne eai is a reticular, erythematous, hyperpigmented eruption that may occur after chronic exposure to moderate levels of infrared radiation in the form of heat. Mar 04, 2015 erythema ab igne may be considered an infectious disease mimic. Erythema ab igne color atlas and synopsis of vascular.
Erythema ab igne primary care dermatology society uk. In this era, more common causes are hot water bottles and heating pads. Some people may complain of mild itchiness and a burning sensation, but often, unless. Erythema ab igne successfully treated with mesoglycan and. Erythema ab igne definition of erythema ab igne by medical. Erythema ab igne definition of erythema ab igne by the free. Images in clinical medicine from the new england journal of medicine erythema ab igne. Dec 16, 2019 erythema ab igne eai is characterized as localized areas of reticulated erythema and hyperpigmentation due to chronic and repeated exposure to infrared radiation. The initial manifestation is erythema, which eventuates into dusky brown macular bands and is usually associated with mild symptoms such as. Redness of the skin caused by dilatation and congestion of the capillaries, often a sign of inflammation or infection. The heat originates from the optical drive, the battery, or the ventilation fan of the computer. It was once a common condition seen in the elderly who stood or sat closely to open fires or electric space heaters.
The patient reported chronic back pain of at least four months dura tion, for which she was applying a hotwater bottle. Erythema ab igne is a skin reaction caused by chronic exposure to low level of infrared radiation in the form of heat. Erythema ab igne differential diagnoses medscape reference. Johns hopkins bloomberg school of public health, baltimore, maryland and. Erythema ab igne, a dusky discolouration of the skin, is caused by repetitive exposure to nonpainful heat erythema ab igne is now more commonly related to heating pads, water bottles, infrared lamps and laptop computer use with skin contact. Erythema ab igne has been noted for many years, and the sources of heat have changed over time. The mainstay of treatment is to eliminate exposure to heat, and sometimes the skin will rejuvenate on its own over months to years. Clinical features and etiology of patients with erythema ab igne. Pdf laptopinduced erythema ab igne a case report cesar. Erythema ab igne eai is a skin reaction characterised by a pattern of erythema redness resembling a net or hyperpigmentation increased pigmentation caused by chronic exposure to heat.
When erythema ab igne warrants an evaluation for internal. It is sometimes called toasted skin syndrome, with the rash called fire stains. The cutaneous lesion of erythema ab igne is characterized by a reticulate erythema, hyperpigmentation, fine scaling, epidermal atrophy and telangiectasis. Erythema ab igne, a dusky discolouration of the skin, is caused by repetitive exposure to nonpainful heat pdf only article. Erythema ab igne is the description of the changes on the skin that occur from chronic exposure to infrared radiation in the form of heat. The lesions were asymptomatic in all three patients and were incidental skin findings in. Figure 901 highly illustrative case of the irregular, netlike hyperpigmentation of erythema ab igne eia along the entire back of a patient with chronic back pain.
Erythema ab igne is an uncommon thermally induced eruption associated with periods of. Erythema ab igne is a cutaneous rash characterized by a reticulated pattern of erythema and hyperpigmentation. Carver college of medicine department of dermatology 200 hawkins drive 40025 pomerantz family pavilion iowa city, ia 522421089. May 21, 2018 erythema ab igne presents as livedo reticularislike lesions with eventual development of brown hyperpigmentation at sites of prolonged heat exposure 1. Erythema ab igne has been reported most frequently in the english literature.
This dermatosis is caused by repeated exposure of direct heat or infrared radiation to a persons skin, often from occupational exposures or use of heating pads. While common in the past, its incidence has declined significantly to become a rare. We report a case of erythema ab igne, successfully treated with systemic mesoglycanbased therapy, and local therapy with bioflavonoids. In the past, eai most commonly affected people who spent excessive time in. Erythema ab igne eai is characterized as localized areas of reticulated erythema and hyperpigmentation due to chronic and repeated exposure to infrared radiation. Laptop computerinduced erythema ab igne in a child and. We report three cases of erythema ab igne from chronic heating pad use over a duration of six months to three years. In our patient, erythema ab igne was induced by hot water bottles.
It is caused by repetitive and prolonged exposure to moderate heat that is insufficient for producing burns. Erythema ab igne describes a redpurple discoloration in a netlike pattern. Erythema ab igne definition of erythema ab igne by. Thermal exposure to the skin can result in a spectrum of cutaneous changes. Early during exposure to moderate infrared radiation, a transient, blanchable, reticulated erythema develops. A 42yearold man presented to his primary care physician with chief complaints of fatigue and worsening of severe chronic thoracic and lumbar back pain that he attributed to routine daily activity at his job, not to any specific antecedent trauma. After longterm and repeated exposure to heat, erythema ab igne might produce permanent discoloration of the skin. Erythema ab igne eai is a typical example of an environmentalinduced dermatosis secondary to overexposure of a particular part of the skin to heat.