User login
 |  |
The physician recognized the diagnosis as erythema ab igne (redness from fire) and deemed a biopsy unnecessary. Erythema ab igne is a relatively rare condition seen more commonly in women. The skin findings (FIGURES 1 and 2) form as a result of multiple exposures to an intense source of heat.
Development of the lesions has been linked to the use of hot water bottles, exposure to car heaters and furniture with internal heaters, the use of laptop computers for long periods of time, and extensive exposure to ovens while working as a cook or chef. Ultrasound physiotherapy has also been reported as a cause of erythema ab igne.
Some patients have mild pruritus or a burning sensation, but the majority of patients are asymptomatic. Skin lesions—which may take as long as a month after exposure to show up—start as a reddish brown mottled rash and are followed by skin atrophy. Telangiectasias with diffuse hyperpigmentation and subepidermal bullae may also develop.
The first goal of treatment is to identify the source of heat radiation, so as to avoid further exposure. For mild lesions, no intervention is needed after the heat source is removed; the probability of full resolution is good. Topical retinoids or hydroquinone can be used to treat the abnormal skin pigmentation.
In this case, the patient chose to stop using the hot water bottle and let her skin heal over time. Over the course of 4 months, her skin lesions started to clear with no further intervention.
Text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. Photo courtesy of Amor Khachemoune, MD. This case was adapted from: Khachemoune A, Sarabi K. Erythema ab igne. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. The Color Atlas of Family Medicine. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2009:858-860.
To learn more about The Color Atlas of Family Medicine, see:
• http://www.amazon.com/Color-Atlas-Family-Medicine/dp/0071474641
You can now get The Color Atlas of Family Medicine as an app for mobile devices including the iPhone and iPad by clicking this link:
| |
The physician recognized the diagnosis as erythema ab igne (redness from fire) and deemed a biopsy unnecessary. Erythema ab igne is a relatively rare condition seen more commonly in women. The skin findings (FIGURES 1 and 2) form as a result of multiple exposures to an intense source of heat.
Development of the lesions has been linked to the use of hot water bottles, exposure to car heaters and furniture with internal heaters, the use of laptop computers for long periods of time, and extensive exposure to ovens while working as a cook or chef. Ultrasound physiotherapy has also been reported as a cause of erythema ab igne.
Some patients have mild pruritus or a burning sensation, but the majority of patients are asymptomatic. Skin lesions—which may take as long as a month after exposure to show up—start as a reddish brown mottled rash and are followed by skin atrophy. Telangiectasias with diffuse hyperpigmentation and subepidermal bullae may also develop.
The first goal of treatment is to identify the source of heat radiation, so as to avoid further exposure. For mild lesions, no intervention is needed after the heat source is removed; the probability of full resolution is good. Topical retinoids or hydroquinone can be used to treat the abnormal skin pigmentation.
In this case, the patient chose to stop using the hot water bottle and let her skin heal over time. Over the course of 4 months, her skin lesions started to clear with no further intervention.
Text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. Photo courtesy of Amor Khachemoune, MD. This case was adapted from: Khachemoune A, Sarabi K. Erythema ab igne. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. The Color Atlas of Family Medicine. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2009:858-860.
To learn more about The Color Atlas of Family Medicine, see:
• http://www.amazon.com/Color-Atlas-Family-Medicine/dp/0071474641
You can now get The Color Atlas of Family Medicine as an app for mobile devices including the iPhone and iPad by clicking this link:
| |
The physician recognized the diagnosis as erythema ab igne (redness from fire) and deemed a biopsy unnecessary. Erythema ab igne is a relatively rare condition seen more commonly in women. The skin findings (FIGURES 1 and 2) form as a result of multiple exposures to an intense source of heat.
Development of the lesions has been linked to the use of hot water bottles, exposure to car heaters and furniture with internal heaters, the use of laptop computers for long periods of time, and extensive exposure to ovens while working as a cook or chef. Ultrasound physiotherapy has also been reported as a cause of erythema ab igne.
Some patients have mild pruritus or a burning sensation, but the majority of patients are asymptomatic. Skin lesions—which may take as long as a month after exposure to show up—start as a reddish brown mottled rash and are followed by skin atrophy. Telangiectasias with diffuse hyperpigmentation and subepidermal bullae may also develop.
The first goal of treatment is to identify the source of heat radiation, so as to avoid further exposure. For mild lesions, no intervention is needed after the heat source is removed; the probability of full resolution is good. Topical retinoids or hydroquinone can be used to treat the abnormal skin pigmentation.
In this case, the patient chose to stop using the hot water bottle and let her skin heal over time. Over the course of 4 months, her skin lesions started to clear with no further intervention.
Text for Photo Rounds Friday courtesy of Richard P. Usatine, MD. Photo courtesy of Amor Khachemoune, MD. This case was adapted from: Khachemoune A, Sarabi K. Erythema ab igne. In: Usatine R, Smith M, Mayeaux EJ, et al, eds. The Color Atlas of Family Medicine. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2009:858-860.
To learn more about The Color Atlas of Family Medicine, see:
• http://www.amazon.com/Color-Atlas-Family-Medicine/dp/0071474641
You can now get The Color Atlas of Family Medicine as an app for mobile devices including the iPhone and iPad by clicking this link: