Adolescent Diagnosed with Toasted Skin Syndrome
A doctor in Brazil identified a skin lesion caused by prolonged daily exposure to heat from a laptop.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Children’s Health
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In 2026, a physician diagnosed an adolescent boy with toasted skin syndrome after he spent up to 8 hours daily resting his laptop on his abdomen. The condition was identified following a clinical review of a 15 cm brownish-red reticulated lesion on his skin.
Why it matters
The case highlights how repeated low-grade heat exposure from common electronic devices can cause dermatological damage. Recognizing these symptoms early can prevent unnecessary medical investigations and lead to quick resolution upon removing the heat source.
The clinical case featured a 15 cm brownish-red reticulated lesion resulting from daily laptop heat exposure of up to 8 hours. Diagnosis was achieved 2 weeks after initial evaluation, following a period where the condition was misidentified as a hematoma.
The details
The patient presented with a brownish-red reticulated skin pattern, leading physicians to initially investigate for a hematoma via chest x-ray and CT scan. Once a targeted medical history revealed the constant heat source, the patient achieved complete lesion resolution after removing the laptop from his abdomen.
Timeline
The medical case report was published in 2026.
The Big Picture
This case follows a pattern established in the historical medical literature on erythema ab igne. It updates these findings by illustrating how modern, prolonged contact with consumer electronics has become a new vector for heat-induced dermatological conditions.
To prevent similar skin damage, users should avoid placing laptops or other heat-emitting devices directly against the skin for extended periods. If persistent skin changes appear in areas of frequent contact, patients should inform their doctors about their device usage habits.
The takeaway
This case serves as a reminder to maintain physical barriers between the body and high-heat electronics. Simply removing the heat source is often the most effective treatment for this specific, avoidable skin condition.
Further reading
Learn more about pediatric dermatological conditions in our Children’s Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Medscape.
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