Laptop Thigh Syndrome

 

Nitasha Sharma*

Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, Galgotias University, Greater Noida.

 

ABSTRACT:

Toasted skin syndrome is other name for Erythema ab igne, it is the condition which is caused by prolonged and repeated use of laptop on the lap, laptops are made to make life more convenient to keep information just a click away, but this has resulted in some negative impacts which can result in health issues. Thus public have to be very conscious while using laptops, make use of gadgets but cautiously.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Erythema ab igne is a condition characterized by reticulated macular hyper pigmented lesions caused by repeated exposure to moderate intensity heat. The condition has re emerged in the last years because of the increasing use of portable computers or laptops and other heat source apparatus.¹Smaller size, portability, and better battery power make the laptop more popular than ever before. In 1979 first laptop was invented, it is a device which is portable, its user can fold it and be able to take it with him \her. Cases of laptop induced burning are caused due to either defective battery (causing chemical burns) or due to overheating of portable devices (inducing thermal injury) have been reported. The researchers also say that mild-to-moderate heat between 109.4 to116.6 degrees Fahrenheit is enough for causation of burns. However, 111.2 degrees Fahrenheit is enough to cause toasted skin syndrome.²

 

Advantages of laptops:

·       Can be carried.

·       User friendly

·       Laptops are much smaller than ordinary personal computers

·       Power usage

 

Portable computers(laptops)have several negative points:

·       Theft.

·       Accident.

·       Breakage.

 

Health issues:

Prolonged periods of time studying, reading or playing games on laptops resting on our thighs can develop “toasted skin syndrome” technically called “erythema ab igne”. Laptops can develop temperatures that can pose a risk for burns if the skin is exposed for prolonged periods of time. Patients with impaired lower extremity sensation, altered consciousness, or decreased mobility are at higher risk for laptop burns.⁵

 

What is this toasted skin syndrome???

·       Toasted skin syndrome is the repeated stress injury of the skin caused by frequent and prolonged heating.

·       It can be called by various other names like ‘laptop thigh’ and ‘hot water bottle rash’ Swiss doctors call it ‘laptop induced dermatosis’.³

 

Definition:

·       Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a localized skin lesion characterized by areas of reticulated erythema and hyperpigmentation. It is caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to infrared radiation.

·       Prolonged thermal radiation exposed to the skin can lead to the development of reticulated erythema, hyperpigmentation and scaling in the affected area.⁴

 

Causes:

·       Thigh:-over heat (43-47*c)

·       High temperature

·       Car heat

·       Occupational hazard-silversmith

 

Types of heat rash:

The four types of heat rash (miliaria) are named by the way they look on the skin (visual characteristics):

1.     Clear (miliaria crystallina),

2.     Red (miliaria rubra),

3.     White/Yellow (miliaria pustulosa),

^4.      Deep (miliaria profunda).³

 

Who is at risk?

·       People who spend prolonged periods of time studying, reading, or playing games on laptops resting on their upper legs could develop this skin syndrome.

·       Erythema ab igne is commonly seen in elderly who stood or sat closely to open fires or electric heaters.

·       However, erythema ab igne has been reported in both young and elderly individuals.

·       Women have higher incidence than men.⁶

 

Pathogenesis:

·       The pathogenesis remains unknown.

·       It has been proposed that the thermal radiation exposure can induce epidermal damage to superficial blood vessels that subsequently leads to vascular dilation.

·       The vasodilatation of vessels presents morphologically as the initially observed erythema.

·       Subsequent hemosiderin deposition can occur.

·       Red blood cell extravasion and deposition of hemosiderin that follows clinically appears as hyper pigmentation.

·       It has also been proposed that the distribution of affected blood vessels, predominantly in the superficial subcutaneous plexus (found in the papillary dermis) results in the net-like pattern.

Symptoms:

·       Prolonged and repeated exposure to heat causes a marked redness.

·       Discolouration of the skin.

·       It will give a blotchy appearance which will appear as toasted skin.

·       Mid itching

·       Burning sensation

·       The skin develops a patch which is mottled (caused by local hemostasis – stagnation of blood)

·       Later becomes reticulated erythema (patchy striped erythema) leaving behind pigmentation.

·       Repeated skin exposure can waste tissues, typically due to the degeneration of cells.

·       If there is a persistent soreness that does not heal, a skin biopsy should be performed to rule out the possibility of skin cancer.⁷

 

Harmful effects:

·       Skin cancer.

·       Infertility – just 10 to 15 minutes exposure is enough to reduce potency and sperm count.

 

Potential consequences include:

Pain in neck:

One of the main ergonomic drawbacks of the laptop is that the screen and keyboard are very close together. This causes the users to hunch, affecting them negatively. The laptop, as per the name is supposed to be kept on the lap and this increases the tendency to bend head, mounting tension in the neck which causes pain and in certain extreme cases, can lead to disc displacement.

 

Shoulder cramp:

The laptop is often used while travelling and therefore the shoulder is compressed in order to have a better view of screen. This leads to cramps in the shoulder. Also, while using a laptop, people tend to forget the right body posture as they are engrossed with the screen.

 

Vision fatigue:

As the distance between the screen of the laptop and the keyboard is very little, the constant staring at the flashing screen can spell sorry- sore to the eye. The reddening of the eye, itching and blurring are some of the common problems related to the eyes.

 

Spine and nerves:

When we use laptop for prolonged periods, the spine is hunched and the vertebrae and the discs begin to degenerate. While using a laptop, our neck curve straightens and affects the spring like mechanism. When under pressure, the discs suffer and the process of spinal degeneration starts. The long hours can send the nerve into irritation mode. This can lead to arthritis and nerve damage.

 

The hot laps:

Laptops are supposed to be used by placing it on the lap. And while we use it on lap, we tend to cut off lot of space for the heat of the battery to escape. With excess usage in extreme cases, the laptop may burst causing severe injuries.

 

R.S.I. (Repetitive Strain Injury):

·       The constant usage of the laptop causes neck and shoulder strain, finger numbness.

·       Risky for tumor development.

·       Testicular cancer linked with laptop radiation.

 

Pregnancy risks:

There has been some concern about hazards to pregnant women from radiation emitted from laptops.

 

According to research at radiation answers, the amounts of radiation that may be emitted are so minimal. However, Doctors advice pregnant women to avoid holding laptop on their lap or stomach because of the heat, that functioning laptops produce

 

Treatment:

·       First of all, identification of the root cause, ie. The source of heat, needs to be identified.

·       If it is excess duration of laptop usage, it should be cut down.

·       Direct contact of the laptop and the skin should be avoided by placing a barrier in between.

·       Discontinuing contact with the heat source is the initial treatment of erythema ab igne.

·       The skin change, if detected earlier, for persistent redness, anti-inflammatory creams can be used.

·       For pigmentary changes, addition of topical retinoic (a drug related to retinol or vitamin A) cream may be mandatory.

·       In some cases, one may require laser therapy.

·       Laptop coolers are also available.

·       Foods and supplements rich in omega-3 fats, zinc, selenium, folic acid, and vitamins C and E.⁸

 

CONCLUSION:

In today’s world to increase our productivity its mandatory for us to make use of gadgets but we should always know in detail about the ill effects of things which we are using very frequently. Health experts are recommending that if you absolutely have to use your laptop on your lap, you should insert a sturdy pillow of at least 6” thickness between your lap and the laptop. Otherwise, it is best to use it on a table or desk, as the radiation falls away rather quickly with increasing distance. Because of the dangers of close proximity to the laptop, even typing on it can be harmful. For safety’s sake, experts suggest keeping at least 30 cm away from laptop.

 

REFERENCES:

1.      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3853603/

2.      https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/ 20101004/laptop-risk-toasted-skin-syndrome#1

3.      https://www.medicinenet.com/heat_rash_pictures_slideshow/article.htm

4.      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5325001/

5.      https://www.researchgate.net/publication/23164210_Thigh_Burn_Associated_With_Laptop_Computer_Use

6.      https://www.longdom.org/open-access/laptop-computer-induced-erythema-ab-igne-a-systematic-review-of-casereports-2155-9554-1000319.pdf

7.      https://healthjade.net/toasted-skin-syndrome/

8.      https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/Harmful-effects-of-placing-laptop-directly-on-your-lap/ articleshow/14232997.cms

 

 

Received on 20.04.2020          Modified on 19.05.2020

Accepted on 02.06.2020    © AandV Publications all right reserved