Doctors have warned parents that a skin condition caused by resting electronic devices on bare skin is on the rise in children.
The warning follows the case of a pre-teen boy diagnosed with erythema ab igne (EAI), also known as toasted skin syndrome, after resting his laptop on his stomach for up to eight hours a day. The condition produces a net-like rash after long-term exposure to low-level heat.
Increasingly common in young device users
EAI is most commonly seen in adults who use hot water bottles or heated pads, but doctors say it is becoming more frequent among youngsters who use electronic devices. Early recognition of paediatric cases can help children avoid unnecessary tests and prevent misdiagnoses, medics say.
Writing in BMJ Case Reports, Dr Mara Znagoveanu of University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said the boy attended the children's emergency department with "spontaneous bruising". Neither he nor his parents could identify what had caused the rash.
Case details and diagnosis
The youngster was found to be well, with no trauma or symptoms such as fever or weight loss, and blood tests and scans were normal. He was discharged, but returned two weeks later as the rash had worsened, becoming tender with areas of skin peeling.
While medics asked about common heat sources, further questioning revealed the boy was home-schooled and used a laptop for learning. He reported resting the device on his stomach for up to eight hours a day, usually while it was charging, and was later diagnosed with EAI.
Dr Znagoveanu said: "As more commonly reported in adults, EAI may be overlooked in children, especially when the source of heat is less obvious than the traditional sources such as hot water bottles and heating pads."
"The increasing use of electronic devices, particularly during home schooling, has emerged as an under-recognised cause of EAI in paediatric populations."
Recovery and guidance
She added that EAI might be misdiagnosed in children, leading to "unnecessary investigations" such as blood tests or scans. The condition is usually reversible, and the rash typically improves over weeks to months once the heat source is removed. In some cases, it can lead to persistent hyper-pigmentation.
Several months later, during a phone consultation, the boy's father told doctors the rash had eventually disappeared.
Dr Znagoveanu said: "There are currently no formal paediatric guidelines for EAI, and diagnosis remains clinical, based on history and characteristic findings. A limitation of this case is the lack of in-person follow-up, with resolution confirmed by the patient's family via telephone call."
"This case highlights the importance of considering EAI in children presenting with reticulated rashes, particularly in the context of increasing electronic device use. Early recognition through targeted history-taking can prevent misdiagnosis and avoid unnecessary investigations."
