Erythema ab igne: evolving technology, evolving presentation

Abstract

We present a case of a 49-year-old woman with erythema ab igne on her posterior thighs owing to 2-4 hours per day of seat heater use in her car. Erythema ab igne is caused by prolonged exposure to a heat source. It used to be caused mainly by wood stoves used to heat homes. Erythema ab igne is now more often related to other heat sources, including heating pads, laptop computers, and car seat heaters, as in our case. As technology changes, so does the presentation of skin conditions that are related to technology.