What is toasted skin syndrome

What is toasted skin syndrome? What causes toasted skin syndrome? Are there complications of toasted skin syndrome? How is toasted skin syndrome treated? Read this next. The Good, the Bad, and Tips for Use. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Can Heat Cause Hives? Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Burning Legs. Prickly Heat Miliaria Rubra. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph.

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Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. From a DIY nail brightener made from toothpaste to " slugging ," the skincare trends on TikTok are fascinating, wacky, and occasionally ingenious. Even a non-Gen Z-er like me can't help put pour over the platform to catch up on all the beauty hacks, hoaxes, and everything in between. And TikTok's latest skincare obsession is white hot—literally.

The platform has been going bonkers over a skin condition called Toasted Skin Syndrome, which sounds just as bad as it looks. If you've developed an uncomfortable netlike red rash and can't trace its source, it might be Toasted Skin Syndrome, especially if you've had prolonged exposure to space heaters or a laptop. So, thanks, TikTokers, for brining this to our attention. It is thought to be due to the chronic and repetitive application of low levels of heat to the skin.

Meet the Expert. Toasted Skin Syndrome is a heat-related skin rash, or Erythema Ab Igne which translates to "redness from fire" in Latin. Low-grade heat, in this case, ranges anywhere from Krishnan adds, "The heat is usually not enough to cause a burn to the skin , but can cause changes in the superficial blood vessels and perhaps even the collagen and elastin components of the skin.

The rash pattern can often fade on its own. However, in some cases, people may experience a "mild itching or burning sensation" associated with Toasted Skin Syndrome, says Green. She denied pruritus or burning over the rash, allergies, a family or childhood history of any rashes, exposure to rodents, exacerbation with sunlight, recent travel, occupational exposures, outdoor activities, or recent medication changes.

She reported marijuana use amounting to 1 g daily over the past year. She reported using a space heater under her blanket, directly over her skin on the right side of her abdomen continuously throughout the day for comfort, and frequently took hot water baths each lasting approximately 30 minutes. Her vitals were within normal limits. Laboratory workup revealed normal blood count, electrolytes, and coagulation profile.

Workup for hypothyroidism showed thyroid-stimulating hormone 0. Computerized tomography scans of the abdomen and chest did not reveal an abnormal mass or fluid accumulation. The patient was clinically diagnosed with erythema ab igne given her extensive history of heat exposure to the affected areas and characteristic appearance of the rash in the setting of a negative workup.

On follow-up two months after discharge, she noted the discoloration had improved with the reduction of heat exposure. Chronic infrared heat exposure results in the degeneration of the elastic fibers and basal cells imparting the dark lacy discoloration with the release of melanin.

The histopathological changes include epidermal atrophy, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, liquefactive degeneration of the basal layer, melanin and hemosiderin deposition, and the formation of telangiectasias. The dermis shows melanophages and isolated elastic fiber alterations similar to actinic elastosis, which is usually seen with prolonged sun exposure [ 4 ]. A rare variant includes crusting bullous lesions overlying the reticular rash.

Though it is a benign rash that resolves quickly within a few weeks to months, rare complications decades after exposure include transformation into cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and heat-induced basal cell carcinoma in regions of the body without direct sun exposure, such as the perineum [ 5 - 7 ]. Common differential diagnoses include livedo reticularis, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, cutis marmorata, and livedo racemosa [ 8 ].

Although it has become less common since the availability of the central heating system, some continue to experience it from traditional sources. Similarly, it is noticed in those using sauna belts for abdominal obesity and those using a heat source for the management of pain [ 11 ]. Most of these heating devices are available over the counter such as sauna belts, heated blankets, and heated car seats.

Skin lesions may not appear immediately after exposure, taking up to a few weeks or months. The diagnosis is made clinically with a history of heat exposure, but if equivocal, the rash will stain positive with Verhoeff-van Gieson elastic stain [ 12 ].

Biopsy is recommended if skin findings such as telangiectasias, nodules, or ulcers are suspicious for cancer. The mainstay of treatment is to identify the source of heat radiation and to avoid further exposure. Patient education and reassurance should be provided. The rash should be periodically monitored for early detection of alarming signs. In addition, topical bioflavonoids, topical 5-fluorouracil reducing keratinocyte dysplasia, and oral mesoglycan with their antithrombotic and profibrinolytic action have been effective for further management.

Refractory cases have been treated with photothermolysis using a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet, ruby, or alexandrite laser therapy [ 2 , 13 ].

This case of erythema ab igne emphasizes the significance of early identification with a thorough history and physical examination as treatment is simple and the rash is generally reversible. Physicians and patients should be aware of both typical and atypical sources of heat and infrared radiation including commercially available space heaters, heated blankets, and vests, which can cause erythema ab igne.

Although rare, the prolonged and unchecked exposure from these sources can result in permanence or malignant transformation. Cureus is not responsible for the scientific accuracy or reliability of data or conclusions published herein. All content published within Cureus is intended only for educational, research and reference purposes.