Resting electronic device on bare skin risks disfigurement due to heat, doctors warn
Medical professionals warn that resting electronic devices like laptops on bare skin can cause a condition called erythema ab igne. This skin condition, characterized by rashes and discoloration, is increasingly seen in children due to prolonged device use.
Why it matters
As remote learning and device usage increase, understanding the physical health risks of improper hardware usage is vital for public safety.
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Credit: Adam Sondel from Pexels 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.
Although historically more common in adults as a result of hot-water bottle and heating pad use, the condition is becoming increasingly common in children due to the prevalence of electronic devices, they highlight.
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