Cutaneous reactive angiomatosis associated with erythema ab igne

We present the case of a 49‐year‐old man with an 18‐month history of an intermittently pruritic red‐brown reticulate eruption of the medial legs, with occasional blistering. There were areas of scale, crust and superficial erosions. The patient worked long overnight shifts standing in front of hot machinery wearing shorts, and spent time sitting in front of a heater at home. A clinical diagnosis of erythema ab igne (EAI) was made. This settled with heater avoidance and protection of the legs with long trousers, as well as a topical corticosteroid. Histology showed features of cutaneous reactive angiomatosis, a rare condition with various associations but only previously reported once in association with EAI.     

Bullous erythema ab igne

Erythema ab igne is a localized, cutaneous condition, consisting of reticulate hyperpigmentation, dusky erythema, epidermal atrophy, and telangiectasia, all the result of repeated exposures to heat. We describe a patient with a bullous form of erythema ab igne: bullae and crusts within a localized area of reticular, brown, macular pigmentation on the lateral side of the left leg, an area that had repeated close exposure to an electrical heater over the previous 3 months. We believe that bullous erythema ab igne, something rarely reported in the literature, should be considered a well-defined variant of erythema ab igne; it may be more common than the literature suggests.     

Laptop induced erythema ab igne

Erythema ab igne is a reticular, pigmented dermatosis caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to infrared radiation that is insufficient to produce a burn. The use of laptop computers has increased manifold in the recent past. Prolonged contact of the laptop with the skin can lead to the development of erythema ab igne. We present a case of erythema ab igne secondary to laptop use in an Indian student.     

Laptop computer--associated erythema ab igne

A 40-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic reticulated eruption on the thighs. After an extensive workup, she was diagnosed with erythema ab igne caused by laptop computer use. The eruption ultimately cleared several months after discontinuation of direct placement of the laptop computer on her thighs. Erythema ab igne is becoming increasingly associated with exposure to modern heat sources. A thorough history of patients with suspicious lesions should include questioning for contact with alternative heat sources to avoid an unnecessary workup for this condition.     

Bullous lichen planus developed on erythema ab igne

Lichen planus developed on erythema ab igne which was induced by repeated exposures to a stove. The clinical and histopathological features of the eruption were an admixture of typical lichen planus and erythema ab igne. Subepidermal bullae were also found on the lichen planus. Direct immunofluorescence tests revealed deposits of fibrin in the basement membrane zone and IgM in the colloid bodies. Indirect immunofluorescence studies detected no circulating antibodies against cutaneous structures in the patient's serum. This study indicates that repeated thermal exposure over a prolonged period may produce lichen planus lesions.     

Laptop-induced erythema ab igne: Report and review of literature

Erythema ab igne is an erythematous, reticular hyperpigmentation that results from prolonged thermal radiation exposure insufficient to cause a burn. Historically, lesions were found on individuals exposed to open fires or stoves, but more recently, erythema ab igne has been described in patients using portable electronics devices including laptops. We report a 21-year-old woman who presented with net-like hyperpigmentation on her thighs caused by prolonged laptop use. We also review the literature that describes other individuals with laptop-induced erythema ab igne and discuss the features of this condition.     

Erythema ab igne with features resembling keratosis lichenoides chronica

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is an asymptomatic dermatosis that develops in response to chronic exposure to low‐grade heat. Characteristic findings on histopathology include epidermal atrophy, dermal elastosis, atypical histiocytes, and melanin and hemosiderin deposition. Reactive endothelial changes and prominent vascular proliferation are variable. Keratosis lichenoides chronica (KLC) is a rare lichenoid hyperkeratotic dermatosis. Acanthosis with parakeratosis and a lichenoid interface dermatitis with lymphocytes, histiocytes, and plasma cells are characteristic findings of KLC. Although its etiology remains unclear, KLC has been reported to occur in response to heat. Herein, we report a case of EAI with features resembling KLC.     

The wages of warmth: changes in erythema ab igne

Biopsies from 20 patients with erythema ab igne (EAI) were examined and compared with biopsies from the legs of 7 elderly control subjects. Epidermal thinning and flattening of the dermo-epidermal junction were seen in most of the tissues examined but were more prominent in the EAI biopsies. Basal cell degenerative change with vacuolation was frequently observed in the EAI specimens. Epidermal atypia amounting to preneoplastic change was observed in 4 EAI biopsies. The dermis was thinned and showed (a) marked oedema and connective tissue disruption and (b) accumulation of elastic staining material. Both haemosiderin and melanin were found within the dermis. The small blood vessels showed a striking abnormality in 7 patients and 2 control biopsies in that the endothelial cells were enlarged and the nuclei were hyperchromatic and irregular in size and shape. This change may be due more to stasis than to chronic heating.     

Laptop computer-induced erythema ab igne: a case report

Erythema ab igne is a condition characterized by reticulated telangiectasia and hyperpigmentation caused by repeated long-term exposure to infrared radiation insufficient to produce a burn. We report a case of laptop computer-induced erythema ab igne.