AI Insight
Doctors have documented a case of erythema ab igne, a skin condition characterized by discoloration and a distinctive "fishnet" pattern rash, in a child who repeatedly placed a laptop directly on bare skin. The condition results from prolonged exposure to low-grade heat sources and serves as a warning about the potential dermatological risks of using electronic devices in direct contact with skin. The case was published in BMJ Case Reports to alert both medical professionals and the public to this preventable injury.
Why it matters
This case highlights an emerging health concern related to common technology use, particularly relevant as laptops and tablets become increasingly prevalent among children and adults. Awareness of this risk can prevent permanent skin disfigurement through simple behavioral changes, such as using barriers between devices and skin or placing devices on appropriate surfaces.
Understand the Science
Balancing an electronic device on bare skin risks disfigurement, doctors warn in the journal BMJ Case Reports, after treating a child with skin discoloration and a “fishnet” rash—hallmarks of erythema ab igne—caused by repeated exposure to the low-grade heat from a laptop.
Source: Resting electronic device on bare skin risks disfigurement due to heat, doctors warn