Academic branding: erythema ab igne and use of laptop computers

A 20-year-old female university student presented with a two-month history of asymptomatic pigmentation in a net-like distribution, isolated to the front thighs (Figure 1). She was otherwise healthy, apart from having recently completed a six-month course of isotretinoin for acne. She had no history of trauma to the front of the thighs, and her only medication was an oral contraceptive. On further questioning, however, she admitted to longstanding daily use of a laptop computer positioned atop her thighs.

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Figure 1:

Front thighs of a 20-year-old woman showing asymptomatic pigmentation in a net-like distribution.

This appearance is consistent with a diagnosis of erythema ab igne. The benign, reticular pattern of hyperpigmentation occurs with direct repeated exposure to heat sources, such as heating pads, and has been found in up to 3% of the population.1 Heat is thought to induce epidermal damage along superficial blood vessels, causing deposition of hemosiderin in a net-like distribution. Most instances result from repeated exposure (lasting one to several hours) of the skin to heat.2,3 Erythema ab igne can appear as early as two weeks or as late as one year following the onset of heat exposure, depending on the intensity of the heat and the presence of clothing between the skin and the heat source.3 Recently, the heat from laptop computers has been implicated.3

Other than the permanent removal of the heat source from the skin, no further treatment is required. The skin changes usually clear spontaneously in several weeks to months, if the repeated exposure to heat is discontinued. For more severe cases, topical 5-fluorouracil cream or laser can be used.4 Rarely, skin cancer can occur at the site of erythema ab igne.5

With the widespread use of laptop computers, erythema ab igne may become more common. This condition is easily preventable with improved knowledge of the potential hazards of use of laptop computers.