Cozy Danger: The Risks of Heating Pads and Blankets
Story at-a-glance
- Toasted skin syndrome (erythema ab igne) occurs when skin is exposed to moderate heat for prolonged periods, leading to red, brown or purple net-like patterns
- Common causes include heating pads, electric blankets, laptops on your lap, space heaters and hot water bottles that maintain prolonged contact with skin
- In toasted skin syndrome, initially harmless redness progresses to permanent skin discoloration, thinning and, in rare cases, skin cancer if heat exposure continues
- Prevention includes using barriers between heat sources and skin, limiting heat application to 20 to 30 minutes and not placing laptops on your lap
- Recommended alternatives include saunas, warm baths and physical activity to generate warmth without risking skin damage
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