A heated blanket or heating pad may keep you warm in the cold winter months, but experts warn of a potential danger.
Extremely close exposure to high heat can cause noticeable blisters skin damage, Or a condition called toasted skin syndrome.
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Many heated blanket users have shared their own experiences with the syndrome on social media, showing discolored patterns on their skin.
One TikTok user, Faith Harrell (@faith_harrell), posted a video of the discolouration of toasted skin syndrome on her stomach from using an electrically conductive heating pad.
“Friendly reminder not to overuse the heating pad on your stomach on the highest settings,” Faith Harrell wrote in a TikTok video, which has now racked up seven million views. (Tik Tok @faith_harrell)
“A gentle reminder not to overuse the heating pad on your stomach at the highest setting,” she wrote in the video, which has now received seven million views.
Harrell told Fox News Digital that the burn marks are “not painful” but are “extremely itchy.”
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Although the mottled skin had not cleared up, Harrell said she still slept with a heating pad placed over her clothes on her stomach.
“It's not gone, but it could go away if you stop applying heat to the mottled skin area,” Harrell told Fox News Digital. (Tik Tok @faith_harrell)
Based in Manhattan Toasted skin syndrome, formally known as erythema ab initio (EAI), is “a pattern of discoloration that occurs in areas of the skin after prolonged exposure to heat sources,” said dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp.
The main cause is long-term exposure to heat “below the thermal burn threshold,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Although it may seem harmless at first, repeated exposure can lead to permanent damage and, in some cases, increase the risk of skin cancer.”
Camp noted that skin changes can occur after prolonged exposure to any heat source, including laptops. Heated car seatsHot water bottles, electric blankets, space heaters, and heating pads are used to treat lower back pain.
“Toasted skin syndrome is unlikely to occur after a single exposure,” he said. “It occurs after repeated exposure to the same heat source.”
Experts warn that other hot items such as laptops, heated car seats, hot water bottles, electric blankets and space heaters can also cause toasted skin syndrome. (Istock)
Dr. Alexandra Bowles, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati, OhioThe condition is characterized by a “reddish-brown discoloration that can become more noticeable and permanent over time,” he added.
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“This happens when the skin is exposed to heat high enough to dilate blood vessels, but not to the point of causing burns,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Although it may seem harmless at first, repeated exposure can lead to permanent damage and, in some cases, increase the risk of infection.” melanoma Due to cellular changes caused by heat.”
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Camp agreed that the long-term risk of toasted skin syndrome is “the development of malignant tumors,” e.g Some types of cancerIn affected areas due to skin cell damage.
Experts have warned that long-term exposure to hot materials and toasted skin syndrome can lead to an increased risk of cancer. (Istock)
To prevent toasted skin syndrome, Bowles recommends avoiding direct and prolonged contact with heat sources and using a barrier, such as cloth, between the skin and the heat.
“If you notice any unusual changes in skin color or changes in skin texture, it's a good idea to do so Consult a dermatologist“Detecting potential problems early can help prevent long-term skin damage,” she said.
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Camp also suggests avoiding this condition through “judicious use of electronics that generate heat, such as laptops and heated car seats.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to several manufacturers for comment.
