This may even be how you are reading this article right now. If so, you may want to consider moving the laptop off your skin.
The November issue of Pediatrics explores a case study involving a 12-year-old boy whose laptop is thought to have caused erythema ab igne, a skin affliction known as "toasted leg syndrome."
Erythema ab igne is a skin disorder in which affected skin turns brown. It is typically caused by prolonged exposure to heat or an infrared source such as a heating pad or hot water bottle.
In the past, erythema ab igne was most commonly observed on patients who worked near open fires and coal stoves. Incidence has gone down since the introduction of central heating.
However, researchers are noticing new cases caused by laptop computers.
To be clear, laptop-induced cases are still rare. The researchers know of only 10 laptop-induced cases since 2004.
These patients are unique in that the skin discoloration occurs on patients' thighs and is asymmetrical.
The 12-year-old boy highlighted in the article is thought to be the youngest laptop-induced patient. He reported playing computer games for several hours per day with his laptop computer being located on his upper legs. This continued for months. He noticed the heat on his left side, but did not change the laptop's position.
His erythema ab igne was only on his left leg. The authors believe it was probably caused by heat emanating from the optical drive. A laptop's battery and ventilation fan are two other suspected common culprits.
In rare cases, chronic erythema ab igne can lead to squamous cell carcinoma, a form of cancer.
Read more at Discovery News
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