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Doctors warn of ‘toasted skin syndrome’ in children from device heat
Medical professionals are warning of a rise in children suffering from erythema ab igne (EAI), also known as ‘toasted skin syndrome,’ due to prolonged exposure to heat from electronic devices.
In a case reported in BMJ Case Reports, a pre-teen boy was diagnosed with the condition after resting a laptop on his abdomen for up to eight hours a day while homeschooling. The boy initially presented with what appeared to be spontaneous bruising, which later progressed into a tender, peeling, net-like rash.
While EAI is traditionally associated with adults using heating pads or hot water bottles, doctors note it is becoming more common in pediatric populations due to the prevalence of digital gadgets. Dr. Mara Znagoveanu of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust noted that early recognition is vital to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary medical investigations, such as blood tests or scans.
Entities
BMJ Case Reports · Mara Znagoveanu · University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Erythema ab igne causes a net-like rash through prolonged exposure to low-level heat. ca.news.yahoo.com · www.news-medical.net · www.independent.co.uk
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The condition typically clears up when the heat source is removed. www.news-medical.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Electronic device use during homeschooling is an under-recognized cause of erythema ab igne in children. ca.news.yahoo.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] A pre-teen boy was diagnosed with erythema ab igne after resting a laptop on his stomach for up to eight hours daily. ca.news.yahoo.com · www.news-medical.net · www.independent.co.uk