UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: What's the Diagnosis? Case submitted and written by Dr. Mak Moayedi

Posted: 2/10/2013 by Haney Mallemat, MD (Updated: 2/11/2013)
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Question

A 25 year-old female presents complaining of a "net-like" rash bilaterally on her medial thighs. She denies any pain but states that the rash looks “pretty scary” What's the diagnosis?

Answer

Answer: Erythema ab igne (a.k.a. "toasted-skin syndrome")

Erythema ab igne

Heat-induced dermal melanosis
Occurs secondary to chronic exposure of a heat source on skin (e.g., laptop computer, heating pad, hot water bottle, etc.).
Prolonged exposure leads to permanent hyperpigmentation and a small risk of carcinoma.
With respect to the current case, the heat exposure occurred secondary to a space heater that she kept between her legs to keep warm while working as a parking lot attendant.

References

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