Doctors warn of skin damage risks from laptop heat exposure

Doctors in the United Kingdom have issued a warning regarding ‘erythema ab igne’, also known as ‘burnt skin syndrome’, following a case involving a preteen boy. The boy experienced skin damage after using a laptop directly on his abdomen for up to eight hours a day while it was charging.

Medical professionals at Leicester NHS Trust initially suspected liver damage due to unusual bruising and spots, but subsequent examinations revealed the cause was prolonged exposure to the heat emitted by the device. The condition is characterized by a reddish-brown, net-like pattern on the skin caused by repeated exposure to lower temperatures, typically between 43 and 47 degrees Celsius. While not a traditional burn, the condition carries a potential risk of skin cancer.