TikTok user reveals long-term skin damage from common household item

A viral social media post has brought attention to a lesser-known condition called “toasted skin syndrome,” which can cause permanent skin discoloration from prolonged exposure to heating devices like heating pads and hot water bottles.T

TikTok user Faith Harrell (@faith_harrell) first raised awareness of the condition. In her video, which garnered 3.9 million views, Harrell showed dark, irregular patterns on her stomach. “Your friendly reminder to not excessively use your heating pad on your stomach at the highest setting,” she wrote.

Many users responded to the video by sharing their own stories. “I had toasted skin syndrome on my legs all through high school because I was ADDICTED to my heating pad,” one woman said.

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Mark Strom addressed growing concerns about this condition. “Many do not realize that you actually need to be very careful about chronic heat exposure to your skin,” Dr. Strom said. “Even heat exposure that is not causing any pain at the time or burning can lead to a permanent rash and discoloration.”

“It causes permanent net-like patterns of brown, purple, or red discoloration,” Strom explained. “Some of the biggest culprits of causing this are heating pads, like ones that are used to treat things like endometriosis pain.”

Historically, erythema ab igne (EAI) - Latin for “redness from fire” - was common among bakers, cooks, and industrial workers who faced chronic heat exposure. Also known as “fire stains,” this condition became less prevalent with the advent of central heating but has reemerged due to modern heat sources including space heaters, electric blankets, and laptops.

The characteristic symptom is a lace-like rash pattern that initially appears pink before potentially progressing to red, purple, or brown. The condition may present with itching, burning, or tingling sensations and can be difficult to differentiate from skin cancer-related rashes.

Dr. Strom advises immediate discontinuation of heat exposure upon noticing any skin discoloration, preferably before the changes become permanent. Treatment typically involves avoiding the heat source, allowing the rash to resolve naturally. Medical experts note that middle-aged women, particularly those who are overweight, face higher risks of developing the condition.

While most cases improve with heat source removal, some instances may result in scarring and elevated skin cancer risk. Retinoid cream treatments derived from vitamin A may help alleviate symptoms, though pregnant or nursing women should avoid this treatment option.

To prevent the condition, healthcare professionals recommend using lap desks with laptops, setting heating devices to their lowest effective temperatures, and limiting the duration of use. The rising awareness of this condition through social media has prompted users to share their experiences, including one individual who reported developing the condition on her legs during high school due to heating pad overuse.