A pre-teen boy in England developed erythema ab igne, commonly known as 'toasted skin syndrome', after resting a laptop on his abdomen for up to eight hours a day. The rash later disappeared after he stopped placing the device directly on his body.
Clinicians at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust reported the case in BMJ Case Reports on 8 September 2026. The case shows how repeated exposure to low-level heat can damage the skin even when the temperature is not high enough to cause an immediate burn.
Doctors First Suspected an Internal Injury
The boy had noticed a lacy, discoloured rash on the right side of his upper abdomen for about a week. Neither he nor his parents initially knew what had caused it.
He later told doctors that he had been play-fighting with his siblings and had been pushed into a chair. That raised concerns that the apparent bruising might be linked to an abdominal or liver injury.
Blood tests were unremarkable, and an abdominal CT scan showed no internal injury. The tests did not explain the rash, and he was discharged.
About two weeks later, he returned to the hospital. The affected area had become darker and more tender, while parts of the skin had begun to peel. Doctors then reconsidered what might be causing the unusual skin changes.
Eight Hours of Laptop Use Revealed the Cause
Further questioning revealed an important detail about the boy's daily routine.
He was being home-schooled and regularly used a laptop for schoolwork. He often rested the device directly on his abdomen for up to eight hours a day. He also told doctors that the laptop was often charging while he used it.
Doctors diagnosed erythema ab igne after connecting the rash with his prolonged exposure to laptop heat.
The boy was advised to stop resting the laptop directly on his body and was given wound-care advice. Several months later, his father reported that the condition had gradually improved and the rash had disappeared.
What Is 'Toasted Skin Syndrome'?
Despite its nickname, toasted skin syndrome is not the same as an ordinary acute burn.
Erythema ab igne develops after repeated exposure to heat below the temperature needed to cause an immediate burn. Over time, that exposure can produce a reddish or brown, net-like pattern on the skin.
The condition has traditionally been associated with hot-water bottles, heating pads and heaters. Laptops and other heat-producing devices have also been linked to cases after prolonged contact with the skin.
Laptop-related cases have been reported before, particularly on the thighs. In this case, the rash developed on the boy's abdomen.
Why Laptop Heat Exposure Matters
The Leicester clinicians said erythema ab igne can be overlooked in children when electronic devices are not immediately considered as a possible heat source.
The rash can resemble bruising or other skin conditions. Identifying repeated heat exposure early may therefore help prevent misdiagnosis, unnecessary investigations and avoidable radiation exposure.
Most cases improve after the heat source is removed. Some people can be left with persistent pigmentation after prolonged exposure. Rarely, long-standing erythema ab igne has also been associated with malignant transformation, although nothing in the case report suggests that occurred in this boy.
The practical message is simple. A laptop does not need to become hot enough to cause an immediate burn to affect the skin. Repeated direct exposure to low-level heat for hours at a time can still cause skin damage.
For this boy, removing the heat source was enough for the rash to gradually disappear.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is toasted skin syndrome?Toasted skin syndrome, or erythema ab igne, is a skin condition caused by repeated exposure to low-level heat, resulting in a reddish or brown, net-like pattern on the skin.
- How can laptop use cause toasted skin syndrome?Prolonged contact with a heat-producing device like a laptop can lead to repeated low-level heat exposure, which may cause skin damage over time.
- What are the symptoms of toasted skin syndrome?Symptoms include a lacy, discolored rash that can become darker and more tender with prolonged exposure.
- How can toasted skin syndrome be prevented?Prevent it by avoiding direct contact with heat sources, using a laptop stand, taking breaks, and ensuring proper ventilation.
