Laptops can cause 'toasted skin syndrome'

Laptops have been associated with a number of health problems; neck and shoulder pain, back pain and even male infertility. But now a recent report suggests that using one on your lap for too long can lead to a skin condition known as "toasted leg syndrome."

Writing in the journal Pediatrics, researchers from the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, reported the case of a 12-year-old boy who developed a mottled rash on his thigh after playing computer games for hours at a time on a daily basis.

The rash, known in the medical profession as erythema ab igne, is usually seen on skin which has been exposed to heat for prolonged periods of time. It used to be common in elderly people in the UK, who spent long hours sitting in front of a coal or electric fire.

In severe cases, the condition can be a risk factor for a type of skin cancer.

However, with laptops, the heat from the computer's optical drive, battery or ventilation fan can also cause the condition.

The researchers said the 12-year-old was the youngest of 10 reported cases since toasted leg syndrome was first described in 2004.

With laptop users, the rash often develops on one thigh as the optical drives are located on the left side of the computer. Positioning the laptop on your lap may also obstruct the computer's ventilation system, causing it to generate more heat.

The skin condition can be prevented by protecting the skin on the upper thighs from the heat generated by the laptop.

The authors wrote: "The popularity of laptop computers will increase this diagnosis in the future. Our patient has had only comparatively shortly used his laptop, which indicates that children's skin is more sensitive to heat."

This article was published on Tue 5 October 2010