# Laptop heat exposure causing skin lesions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/laptop-heat-exposure-causing-skin-lesions
> Updated: 2026-09-23T06:05:57.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 4.

Medical reports from England have documented cases of skin damage caused by prolonged exposure to heat from laptop computers.

In one instance, an adolescent presented with lace-like skin lesions on the abdomen, identified as erythema ab igne. The condition resulted from using a laptop directly on the abdomen for up to eight hours daily. Medical experts noted that such injuries occur when skin is exposed to low-intensity heat, typically between 43 and 47 degrees Celsius.

A subsequent report detailed a case involving a young boy who developed a 15-centimeter grid-like pattern on his stomach. While the initial exposure was painless, the condition worsened significantly over two weeks, reaching a “breaking point” where the lesions became painful. This specific injury was attributed to a laptop with a faulty battery that generated significant heat while the child used it for schoolwork.

Following these incidents, doctors at Leicester NHS Trust issued warnings regarding ‘erythema ab igne’, also referred to as ‘burnt skin syndrome’. In one case involving a preteen boy, medical professionals initially suspected liver damage due to unusual bruising and spots before determining the cause was heat from a charging laptop. While the condition is not a traditional burn, medical professionals noted it carries a potential risk of skin cancer.

Further dermatological insights describe the condition as ‘laptop dermatitis’, characterized by red, white, or marbled skin marks caused by repeated exposure to moderate heat and infrared radiation. Dermatologist Dominique Tennstedt describes it as a chronic burn that develops gradually. While the lesions are not inherently dangerous, they can cause significant aesthetic concerns. There is currently no specific medical treatment, and recovery is a slow process that can take several years.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-23: Laptop use may cause chronic skin lesions

Using laptops on the lap for extended periods can cause laptop dermatitis, a chronic skin condition caused by repeated heat and infrared exposure that can leave long-lasting marks.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laptop-use-may-cause-chronic-skin-lesions

### 2026-09-21: Doctors warn of skin damage risks from laptop heat exposure

UK doctors warn of ‘burnt skin syndrome’ (erythema ab igne) after a boy suffered skin damage from prolonged laptop heat exposure on his abdomen.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/doctors-warn-of-skin-damage-risks-from-laptop-heat-exposure

### 2026-09-18: Laptop heat causes severe skin burns in young boy

A boy in England suffered severe, initially painless skin burns on his abdomen caused by a laptop overheating in his lap for several hours a day during schoolwork.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laptop-heat-causes-severe-skin-burns-in-young-boy

### 2026-09-11: Laptop heat exposure causes skin lesions in adolescent

A medical report in the BMJ warns of erythema ab igne, a skin condition caused by prolonged exposure to heat from laptops used directly on the body.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/laptop-heat-exposure-causes-skin-lesions-in-adolescent

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Cite as: Laptop heat exposure causing skin lesions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/laptop-heat-exposure-causing-skin-lesions