Erythema ab igne

Erythema ab igne
Classification and external resources
Erythema ab igne in a person with chronic abdominal pain who found some relief from the application of heat.
ICD-10	L59.0
ICD-9	692.82
DiseasesDB	4438
eMedicine	derm/130

Erythema ab igne (also known as hot water bottle rash,^[1] fire stains,^[2], laptop leg, and toasted skin syndrome^[2]) refers to skin that is reddened due to long-term exposure to infrared radiation. The term is derived from Latin and means "redness from fire".^[3]

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a skin reaction caused by exposure to heat. It was once commonly seen in the elderly who stood or sat closely to open fires or electric heaters. Although wide use of Central Heating has reduced the incidence, it is still sometimes found in people exposed to heat from other sources like heat packs, laptops,^[4] and hot water bottles. Overexposure to heat causes a mild red rash that might be described as 'blotchy'. Prolonged and repeated exposure causes a marked redness and colouring of the skin. The skin and underlying tissue may start to thin, and sometimes sores or lesions can develop.^{[citation needed]} Some people may complain of mild itchiness and a burning sensation, but often, unless a change in pigmentation is seen, it can go unnoticed.

Different types of heat sources can cause this condition such as:

• Repeated application of hot water bottles or heat pads to treat chronic pain--e.g., chronic backache
• Repeated exposure to car heaters, or furniture with built-in heaters
• Occupational hazards of silversmiths and jewellers (face exposed to heat), bakers and chefs (arms)

Treatment

The source of heat must be removed. If the area is only mildly affected with slight redness, the condition may resolve itself in a few months. If the condition is severe and the skin pigmented and atrophic, resolution is unlikely. In this case, there is a possibility that squamous cell carcinomas may form. If there is a persistent sore that doesn't heal or a growing lump within the rash, a skin biopsy should be performed to rule out the possibility of skin cancer. Abnormally pigmented skin may persist for years. Treatment with topical tretinoin or laser may improve the appearance.

It may also be seen in people with hypothyroidism or lymphoedema.

See also

• List of cutaneous conditions

References

1. ^ Rudolph CM, Soyer HP, Wolf P, Kerl H (February 1998). "Hot-water-bottle rash: not only a sign of chronic pancreatitis". Lancet 351 (9103): 677. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(05)78465-8. PMID 9500360. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Rapini, Ronald P.; Bolognia, Jean L.; Jorizzo, Joseph L. (2007). Dermatology: 2-Volume Set. St. Louis: Mosby. pp. Chapter87. ISBN 1-4160-2999-0. 
3. ^ Beleznay K, Humphrey S, Au S (March 2010). "Erythema ab igne". CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De l'Association Medicale Canadienne 182 (5): E228. doi:10.1503/cmaj.081216. PMC 2842847. PMID 20159900. http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=20159900. 
4. ^ Levinbook, WS.; Mallet J; Grant-Kels JM (October 2007). "Laptop computer--associated erythema ab igne.". Cutis (Quadrant HealthCom) 80 (4): 319–20. PMID 18038695. 

External links

• DermNet vascular/erythema-ab-igne
• New England Journal of Medicine Image Challenge

This cutaneous condition article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Skin conditions resulting from physical factors Cutaneous condition stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную? Gianni Motta Smoluchowski coagulation equation Look at other dictionaries: erythema ab igne — permanent erythema or a brown to red reticulated residual pigmentation produced by prolonged exposure to excessive radiant heat; it is seen most often on the lower limbs but under appropriate environmental circumstances can occur anywhere on the… …   Medical dictionary Erythema — A redness of the skin resulting from inflammation, for example, as caused by sunburn. * * * Redness due to capillary dilation. [G. e., flush] e. ab igne a reticulated, pigmented, macular eruption that occurs, often on the shins, in bakers,… …   Medical dictionary Erythema — Not to be confused with Arrythmia. Erythema Classification and external resources Characteristic bull s eye rash (erythema migrans) of early Lyme …   Wikipedia erythema — erythematic /er euh thi mat ik/, erythematous /er euh them euh teuhs, thee meuh /, erythemic, erythemal, adj. /er euh thee meuh/, n. Pathol. abnormal redness of the skin due to local congestion, as in inflammation. [1760 70; < NL < Gk, equiv. to… …   Universalium erythema — n. flushing of the skin due to dilatation of the blood capillaries in the dermis. It may be physiological or a sign of inflammation or infection. Erythema nodosum is characterized by tender bruiselike swellings on the shins and is often… …   The new mediacal dictionary Erythema multiforme — Classification and external resources Erythema multiforme minor of the hands ( note the blanching centers of the lesion ) ICD 10 L …   Wikipedia Erythema nodosum — Classification and external resources Erythema nodosum in a person who had recently had streptococcal pharyngitis ICD 10 L …   Wikipedia Erythema annulare centrifugum — Classification and external resources ICD 10 L53.1 ICD 9 695.0 …   Wikipedia erythema caloricum — erythema caused by exposure to either heat (e. ab igne) or cold (cold e.) …   Medical dictionary Эритема (Erythema) — покраснение кожи вследствие расширения проходящих в дерме кровеносных капилляров. Эритема может быть физиологической или являться симптомом воспаления или инфицирования ткани. Узелковая эритема (erythema nodosum) характеризуется образованием на… …   Медицинские термины 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”