'Toasted Skin Syndrome' Warning For Excessive Laptop Users

BACK GROUND

Dermatologists in Halifax documented the phenomenon in the ‘Canadian Medical Association Journal,’ and now, a new article noting the link has been published in the journal Pediatrics. In the first case, a 20-year-old female university student had developed a net-like discoloring on her inner thighs.

Dr. Kimberley Salkey, was treating the young woman, was in trance until she learned the student spent about six hours a day working with her computer in her lap. The temperature underneath was  registered 125 degrees.

WHAT IS THIS TOASTED SKIN SYNDROME?

Toasted Skin Syndrome is the repeating stress injury of the skin caused by frequent and prolonged  heating at low level.Toasted Skin Syndrome is clinically known as Erythema Ab Igne and commonly known by various names such as 'laptop thigh' and 'hot water bottle rash' . Swiss doctors also call it 'laptop-induced dermatosis' .

Who is at risk?

"People who spend prolonged periods of time studying, reading , or playing games on laptops resting on their upper legs could develop this skin syndrome ," warns dermatologist Dr Shreyas Kamath. Traditionally , this skin condition is common among people often exposed to heat while working (blacksmiths, silversmiths, cooks, etc). And now, people using laptops for long hours, even students and corporate individuals, are facing this.

Causes

The prolonged placement of laptop on the thighs results in thermal build of around 44 degrees of heat to which the skin responds by developing persistent redness and pigmentation . This has been reported in medical literature between 2004 to date, explains dermatologist and dermatosurgeon Dr Shenaz Z Arsiwala

Symptoms

Prolonged and repeated exposure to heat causes a marked redness and discolouration of the skin. Sometimes it will give a blotchy appearance which will appear as toasted skin. Mild itching and burning sensation on the affected area.

Harmful effects

“The skin develops a patch which is mottled (caused by local hemostasis — stagnation of blood) and later becomes reticulated erythema (patchy striped erythema) leaving behind pigmentation,” says Dr Manerkar.

Cosmeto-dermatologist Dr Swati Srivastava warns that repeated skin exposure can waste tissues, typically due to the degeneration of cells. If there is a persistent soreness that does not heal, a skin biopsy should be performed to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.

Treatment

• First of all , identification of the root cause, i.e., the source of the heat, needs to be identified. If it is excess duration of laptop usage, it should be cut down. Also, direct contact of the laptop and the skin should be avoided by placing a barrier in between.

•  Dr Arsiwala says laptop coolers are also available. 

• The skin change, if detected early and is mild in nature, can settle on its own without treatment. 

• For persistent redness, anti-inflammatory creams can be used. 

• For pigmentary changes, addition of topical tretinoin (a drug related to retinol or vitamin A) cream may be mandatory. 

• In some cases, one may require laser therapy.

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