Toasted Skin Syndrom

Toasted skin syndrome also called as laptop thigh or erythema an Igne is a condition where the skin shows visible changes, blotchy redness and pigmentation on long standing exposure to heat /infrared radiation. Seen in people or professions exposed to undue prolonged heating of the skin. In cities it is seen in people with laptop usage resting on thighs for long hours.

The prolonged placement of laptop on the thighs while working results in thermal build up to around more than 44 degrees of heat to which the skin responds by blotchy redness, when this heat insult is prolonged it causes persistent redness and pigmentation of the skin. This has been reported in medical literature between 2004 to date.

Persistent thermal insult to the skin results in skin on fire appearance and over time causes increased abnormal color cells activity in the area with pigmentation in mesh or reticulate manner. This can also increase risk of precancerous changes over time and potential fear of squamous cell skin cancer.

One may notice blotchy redness or color changes on the fixed zone over the thighs, both or one sided with some irritation or none. Seen in both sexes and more with people who have long hours of work on laptop

These cases will rise in the next decade. With advent of technologies and ease of communications in this era there is an exponential rise in laptop usage spanning all age groups? With people using more laptops than desktops at home and at work for long hours this risk looms large.

Elimination of the trigger factor that is the heat source on identification is essential. Air coolers for ventilation as fixtures on laptops are now available. The skin change if early and mild can settle on its own without treatment. For persistent redness anti inflammatory creams can be used. For pigmentary changes addition of topical Tretinoin cream may be mandatory .some cases may require laser therapy.

THE INFORMATION IN THIS ARTICLE REFLECTS THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHOR ONLY. A QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE USING ANY THERAPEUTIC PRODUCT DISCUSSED. ALL READERS SHOULD VERIFY ALL INFORMATION AND DATA BEFORE TREATING PATIENTS OR UTILIZING ANY THERAPIES NOTED IN THIS PROGRAMME.