Heated Seats and Laptops Can Lead to Skin Rash

Doctors continue to remind the public that prolonged exposure to heated seats or hot pads can lead to a skin rash dubbed “toasted skin syndrome.” This sponge-patterned skin discoloration and inflammation, known formally as erythema ab igne or EAI, also comes from the extended placement of laptops on laps. Chronic, prolonged skin inflammation can up the chances for squamous cell skin cancer, which is notably more aggressive than the most common skin cancer, states Dr. Anthony J. Mancini, dermatology chief at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, in an MSNBC article. Because the heat is not high enough to burn the skin, the effects often go unnoticed until a rash appears. This rash is known to occur more frequently in workers whose jobs require being close to a heat source, including bakers and glass blowers. To watch a video on EAI, click here.