We report a case of erythema ab igne, successfully treated with systemic mesoglycanbased therapy, and local therapy with bioflavonoids. 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 successfully treated with mesoglycan and. Thermal exposure to the skin can result in a spectrum of cutaneous changes. 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. Erythema ab igne has been noted for many years, and the sources of heat have changed over time. After longterm and repeated exposure to heat, erythema ab igne might produce permanent discoloration of the skin. 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. In this era, more common causes are hot water bottles and heating pads.
It was once a common condition seen in the elderly who stood or sat closely to open fires or electric space heaters. Erythema ab igne describes a redpurple discoloration in a netlike pattern. Although the introduction of central heating has reduced eai of this type, it is still found in individuals exposed. Apr 28, 2020 erythema ab igne represents a skin condition caused by exposure to open fire. It is caused by repetitive and prolonged exposure to moderate heat that is insufficient for producing burns. Erythema ab igne is an asymptomatic cutaneous condition caused by exposure to heat.
Erythema ab igne differential diagnoses medscape reference. Erythema ab igne primary care dermatology society uk. Pdf laptopinduced erythema ab igne a case report cesar. 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. Some people may complain of mild itchiness and a burning sensation, but often, unless. 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.
The mainstay of treatment is to eliminate exposure to heat, and sometimes the skin will rejuvenate on its own over months to years. 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 free. Redness of the skin caused by dilatation and congestion of the capillaries, often a sign of inflammation or infection. Erythema ab igne eai is a localized skin lesion characterized by areas of reticulated erythema and hyperpigmentation. Md from the division of dermatology, department of medicine, and the center for the study of aging, duke university medical center, durham, north carolina. We report three cases of erythema ab igne from chronic heating pad use over a duration of six months to three years. It is sometimes called toasted skin syndrome, with the rash called fire stains. Dec 04, 2016 as an interesting side note, another group of people are starting to show erythema ab igne on their skin. Prolonged thermal radiation exposure to the skin can lead to the development of reticulated erythema, hyperpigmentation, scaling and telangiectasias in the affected area. As an interesting side note, another group of people are starting to show erythema ab igne on their skin.
Erythema ab igne is a skin reaction caused by chronic exposure to low level of infrared radiation in the form of heat. 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. Treatment consists of removal of the heat exposure laptops, car seat heaters, space heaters, sauna belts 1. We see white and brown discoloration in more advanced changes. Erythema ab igne eai is a skin disease characterized by reticular hyperpigmentation due to prolonged and repeated heat exposure.
The cutaneous lesion of erythema ab igne is characterized by a reticulate erythema, hyperpigmentation, fine scaling, epidermal atrophy and telangiectasis. Mar 23, 2010 historically, erythema ab igne was seen on the legs of women who sat next to coal stoves or fires. 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. Historically, and before the advent of central heating, erythema ab igne was seen on the legs of. Request pdf erythema ab igne erythema ab igne is a reticulated, erythematous or hyperpigmented dermatosis that results from chronic and repeated. The initial manifestation is erythema, which eventuates into dusky brown macular bands and is usually associated with mild symptoms such as. Erythema ab igne represents a skin condition caused by exposure to open fire. Erythema ab igne is a cutaneous rash characterized by a reticulated pattern of erythema and hyperpigmentation. Historically, erythema ab igne was seen on the legs of women who sat next to coal stoves or fires. 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. Erythema ab igne is an uncommon thermally induced eruption associated with periods of. 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 patient reported chronic back pain of at least four months dura tion, for which she was applying a hotwater bottle. The primary lesion is a redtobrown hyperpigmented with reticulated macule in areas of chronic heat exposure. Carver college of medicine department of dermatology 200 hawkins drive 40025 pomerantz family pavilion. Erythema ab igne is now more commonly related to heating pads, water bottles, infrared lamps and laptop computer use with skin contact. You do not have access to the full text of this article, the first page of the pdf of this article appears above. Erythema ab igne color atlas and synopsis of vascular. When erythema ab igne warrants an evaluation for internal. While common in the past, its incidence has declined significantly to become a rare. Laptop computer induced erythema ab igne longdom publishing sl. Erythema ab igne is a skin condition usually caused by abnormal exposure to heat in a variety of forms.
Carver college of medicine department of dermatology 200 hawkins drive 40025 pomerantz family pavilion iowa city, ia 522421089. If not properly treated, erythema ab igne can become chronic and even malignant. Cases of erythema ab igne may prove to be diagnostically challenging due to lack of familiarity with the condition. Since 2004, there have been at least 10 reported cases of the condition or of burns related to laptop use. Pdf on feb 4, 2019, avinash kumar gupta and others published erythema ab igne find, read and cite all the research you need on.
Clinical features and etiology of patients with erythema ab igne. Space heaterinduced bullous erythema ab igne mdedge. While this dermatosis carries a favorable prognosis, nonmelanoma skin cancers have been reported to arise within lesions of erythema ab igne. While the rash is most often benign, its presence can be an indication of chronic inflammation or, less commonly. In laptopinduced erythema ab igne, the localization on the thighs and asymmetry are characteristic. Johns hopkins bloomberg school of public health, baltimore, maryland and. This disorder results from prolonged and repeated exposure to infrared radiation. 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. Early during exposure to moderate infrared radiation, a transient, blanchable, reticulated erythema develops. Heat damages superficial skin vessels leading to vasodilatation and leakage of blood and deposition of hemosiderin. Patients with erythema ab igne have a history of repeated exposures to heat at a lower level than that which causes a thermal burn. A histopathological study g rolland finlayson, md w mitchell sams, jr. Erythema ab igne eai is characterized as localized areas of reticulated erythema and hyperpigmentation due to chronic and repeated exposure to infrared radiation.
The first page of the pdf of this article appears above. Erythema ab igne may be considered an infectious disease mimic. In our patient, erythema ab igne was induced by hot water bottles. Although the introduction of central heating has reduced eai, it is still found in individuals exposed to heat from other sources. Erythema ab igne eai is a skin reaction caused by chronic exposure to infrared radiation in the form of heat. 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. Erythema ab igne definition of erythema ab igne by. 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. It was once a common condition seen in the elderly who sat close to open fires. 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. Erythema ab igne eai is a reticular erythematous hyperpigmentation of skin repeatedly exposed to moderate heat. Exposure to infrared radiation creates a mottled appearance on the skin, usually appearing as blotchy, red, lacy patterns. The heat originates from the optical drive, the battery, or the ventilation fan of the computer. Erythema ab igne presents as livedo reticularislike lesions with eventual development of brown hyperpigmentation at sites of prolonged heat exposure 1. The lesions were asymptomatic in all three patients and were incidental skin findings in. Images in clinical medicine from the new england journal of medicine erythema ab igne. 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 cleveland clinic journal of medicine. Erythema ab igne has been reported most frequently in the english literature. It is seen after prolonged exposure to moderate heat perhaps as short as 23 weeks 1, 2. A diagnosis of erythema ab igne eai or toasted skin syndrome is rendered figure 901. Erythema ab igne, a dusky discolouration of the skin, is caused by repetitive exposure to nonpainful heat pdf only article. It begins as a mottling caused by local hemostasis and becomes a reticulated erythema, leaving pigmentation. Erythema ab igne is a reticular, pigmented, sometimes telangiectatic dermatosis that is caused by prolonged exposure to a heat or infrared source. Erythema ab igne definition of erythema ab igne by the. Currently, erythema ab igne is most commonly observed following repeated use of hot water bottles, infrared lamps and heating pads. 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 definition of erythema ab igne by medical. 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. A16yearold girl was admitted to the pediatric ser vice for a history of chronic abdominal pain, nau sea, and vomiting. Erythema ab igne is preventable, and, thus, clinicians.
Pdf a 30yearold bedouin woman who lives in a hut presented with skin changes in the anterior portion of both shins. In the past, eai most commonly affected people who spent excessive time in front of stoves, open fires and space heaters. 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. May 21, 2018 erythema ab igne presents as livedo reticularislike lesions with eventual development of brown hyperpigmentation at sites of prolonged heat exposure 1.
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