Laptop-Induced Erythema ab igne: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Erythema ab Igne (EAI) or “toasted skin syndrome”, is a skin reaction manifested by a reticulate hypermelanosis on body areas submitted to prolonged exposure to infrared radiation (IRR) in the form of moderate heat insufficient to produce a skin burn. This reaction is probably as old as civilization and accompanies the use of fire for heating icy environments or the body directly. Currently, several cases due to bodily contact with laptops have been reported and makings EAI an old condition new again.

Here, we present a case of a male patient with continuous use of a laptop computer placed on the abdominal area in a reclining position and the consequent formation of EAI on the exposed site.