Boy Developed 'Toasted Skin' Condition From Using a Laptop Every Day (arstechnica.com)
- Reference: 0185599030
- News link: https://science.slashdot.org/story/26/09/11/068223/boy-developed-toasted-skin-condition-from-using-a-laptop-every-day
- Source link: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/09/boy-developed-toasted-skin-condition-from-using-a-laptop-every-day/
> Based on the appearance, the doctors started reconsidering some sort of bruising and started asking him more questions. This is when he mentioned that he was homeschooled and used a laptop for his schoolwork. He said he typically did his work by resting his laptop on his abdomen while he worked, sometimes for up to eight hours a day, and often while the laptop was charging. Then they understood what it was.
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> The doctors diagnosed the boy with [4]erythema ab igne (EAI), which translates from Latin as "redness from fire" and is also sometimes called " [5]toasted skin syndrome ." This is a skin condition caused by repeated, prolonged exposure to low-grade heat -- heat not hot enough to cause actual burns. It's most often seen in adults, and common causes include using heating pads or hot water bottles for chronic pain or sitting too close to space heaters. Some people also develop it from certain occupational hazards, like glassblowing and metal work. EAI produces a lace-like rash, just like the boy's.
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> It's unclear how EAI develops exactly. But researchers hypothesize that chronic heat exposure leads to damage to superficial blood vessels and the release of red blood cells, forming the tell-tale red reticulated pattern. While the boy's condition looked ominous, the good news is that EAI is generally benign and reversible -- once you remove the heat source. For severe or long-term conditions, some pigmentation and scarring can remain. But the boy's parents checked back in over several months, reporting that the rash faded and then completely resolved. Hopefully, he also got some sort of laptop stand.
[1] https://casereports.bmj.com/content/19/9/e270756
[2] https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/09/boy-developed-toasted-skin-condition-from-using-a-laptop-every-day/
[3] https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bmjcr-2026-September-19-9-F1.large_.jpg
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538250/
[5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/toasted-skin-syndrome
on his adbomen (Score:2)
Gang, I know they're called lap-tops but most people sit at a table.
Re: (Score:2)
What is an 'adbomen'? Oops.
Re: (Score:2)
Why do you assume it's a mistake? Maybe Chunder is a Dutch person whose space bar is sticking and they're trying to type something like "regarding the trees", "to the trees", "toward shooting the breeze", "priced in trees", "chug trees", etc.
Re: on his adbomen (Score:2)
You realize they corrected themselves, right?
Re: (Score:2)
Do they? I thought most people literally use them on their laps. I do, certainly. Why get a laptop if you're just going to use it sitting at a table as if it were a PC?
I've also gotten this condition, BTW (after getting sick of it, I got a laptop tray, and that solved the problem), though on my thighs, not by abdomen (I sit using a laptop - laying down to use one sounds difficult?). Patterned just like that kid's. I didn't have a name for it before, now I do. I'm not sure why you'd have to go to the ho
Re: (Score:2)
Most people use laptops because in addition to your lap, every table and desk can be a computer desk: the cafe table, the kitchen table, work desks with docking stations, etc. Tables/desks also allow you far better posture.
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> Tables/desks also allow you far better posture.
Far better posture than what ? The whole notion of 90-degree upright posture being good for you Victorian-era pseudoscience. Sitting upright at 90 degrees is actually the most demanding position your back can be in . Your muscles have to constantly work to balance you against gravity. [1]A 135 degree reclined position, such as in a recliner, is much better for your back [www.cbc.ca] than a 90 degree upright posture or a 70 degree forward slouch (e.g. your two typical "table pos
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/forget-sitting-upright-to-prevent-back-problems-radiologists-1.590028
Re: (Score:1)
> Why get a laptop if you're just going to use it sitting at a table as if it were a PC?
So it's easy to throw in a bag and use somewhere else.
Re: (Score:2)
> Do they? I thought most people literally use them on their laps. I do, certainly. Why get a laptop if you're just going to use it sitting at a table as if it were a PC?
> I've also gotten this condition, BTW (after getting sick of it, I got a laptop tray, and that solved the problem), though on my thighs, not by abdomen (I sit using a laptop - laying down to use one sounds difficult?). Patterned just like that kid's. I didn't have a name for it before, now I do. I'm not sure why you'd have to go to the hospital to figure it out, as it's very obvious what's causing it - you leave a hot thing on one part of your body for a long time and then it turns red; it's not exactly rocket science to put two and two together.
> ED: I just looked it up; about 80-90% of people use them on a table, 10-20% on their lap, so I guess I'm in the minority. *shrug*
If I use mine in my lap, it's on a lap-desk with a cushion that raises it up a bit on the knee end to keep it from slipping. Wonder if that counts as table or lap?
Re: (Score:2)
> I thought most people literally use them on their laps. I do, certainly.
I suspect most people don't have as bad ergonomics as you do.
> Why get a laptop if you're just going to use it sitting at a table as if it were a PC?
Because you may not always want to sit at a table? Because you may not want to sit at the same table? Because sometimes that table is at work? or at home? or in a meeting room? or in a hotel room? or on the tray table of an airplane?
Heck my laptop spends most of its time in one of 3 docking stations, not even open.
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He actually bought a belly-top. It was given away for a bargain: now he knows why...
Thermometer RNA (Score:3)
One of the wonders of genetics is the existence of [1]Thermometer RNA [wikipedia.org], which allows the expression of some genes to be temperature dependent.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RNA_thermometer
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So, does this mean he will aquire superpowers? "Laptopdomen Man"?
How heavy was this kid? (Score:1)
Are we talking massive gut?
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Not sure why it's relevant but there's a photo in the first link. Looks like a pretty skinny kid.
Heating Pads (Score:4, Interesting)
I had to have both my hips replaced last year.
While I was waiting for the surgery, I was in pretty intense pain, which makes trying to sleep a real joy.
I was using a heating pad to help with the pain, and got the same effect. My legs looked like I'd been in a car wreck, or beaten with a bat.
Circular bruises that weren't bruises.
Re: (Score:2)
Userid checks out (age) :). Hope you're doing better
I wonder (Score:1)
Sounds like what happens when you eat Cheetos and wank off, and get orange penis syndrome.
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And I thought I was the only one.
Parents? (Score:2)
So, this kid's parents just let him sit for eight hours a day with a laptop strapped to him doing whatever? Even if you're using it to learn something important, there should be enough supervision to promote some breaks. Hell's bells, I've been computin' since I was twelve, am currently in my mid fifties, and can't remember ever sitting at a computer for more than an hour at a time without getting up to stretch and walk around a bit, or swap laundry, or check some baking, or walk a dog, or something. Do we
Re: Parents? (Score:2)
Kids are expected to sit in class for six hours a day then go home and potentially do homework for an hour or two.
You're acting like this is child abuse when it's simply the way kids are almost always treated.
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Kids are expected to sit in class for six hours a day then go home and potentially do homework for an hour or two.
The difference is, there are breaks in those six hours. You're in class for 55 minutes, then you get up and walk to your next class, rinse and repeat. Depending on your schedule, breaks could even be longer. You get up and move about. You're not stuck in the same chair for six hours.
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It really doesn't take that long if the laptop is hot. Happened to me quite a few times, and I was usually getting up at least once every couple hours, usually more.
For shame (Score:2)
Get this kid a desktop computer so he can wank off properly!
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Or certainly a splash guard for the back of the laptop computer screen.
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So that's what those linux stickers are for!
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If you click the medical links in TFA, you'll findet that long exposure to low heat levels causes the syndrome. It's no direct burning.
How bad is that kid's eyesight? (Score:2)
That laptop screen has got to be less than a foot from his eyes given where the heating pattern is. How does he even type?
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Absolutely! Not only, what about his overall posture? Cervical lordosis? Carpal tunnel?
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Don't worry, the image of Jesus he burned on himself will save him.
Re: How bad is that kid's eyesight? (Score:2)
With his tongue!