A People exclusive brought widespread attention to a rare skin condition known as toasted skin syndrome, medically referred to as erythema ab igne, after a 36-year-old woman, Meagan Hannon, shared how extensive heating pad use altered the skin on her back. Her story gained viral traction on social media platforms such as TikTok, where videos of her skin discoloration received hundreds of thousands of views, and drew commentary from medical professionals warning of the condition’s association with long-term heat exposure.
Hannon, a former hairstylist, began using a heating pad nearly every day for about six years to manage chronic back pain. She often kept heating pads on high heat, including during sleep, believing they relieved her discomfort. According to her statements to People, she did not immediately notice changes to her skin until her daughter pointed out unusual markings while the family was preparing for a swim.
A friend posted a video showing the mottled, net-like discoloration on Hannon’s back, and the video quickly spread online. After the initial post amassed more than 340,000 views, Hannon shared additional videos totaling nearly half a million more views, prompting viewers, including dermatologists and physicians, to point out that her skin pattern was consistent with toasted skin syndrome.
Hannon said she had not yet consulted a doctor at the time of the report but noted that the online response made her reflect on both her pain management habits and emotional dependence on the heating pad. She began taking steps such as reducing the temperature and exploring alternative warming methods.
Toasted skin syndrome, also known in medical literature as erythema ab igne is a skin condition caused by repeated, prolonged exposure to moderate heat that is not intense enough to cause a thermal burn but is sufficient to affect skin receptors and blood vessels. Historically, this condition was first described in people sitting close to open fires, but it has reemerged in modern settings due to sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, laptops on laps, space heaters, and heated seats.
Reticulated (net-like) skin discoloration red, brownish, or hyperpigmented areas in a patterned distribution
Often asymptomatic but may be noticed visually
Can include telangiectasias (small visible blood vessels), mild itching, or burning sensations in some cases
Changes develop gradually with continued exposure and may persist even after heat is removed
Unlike acute burns, erythema ab igne does not involve blistering from intense heat; rather, it represents chronic thermal radiation’s effects on superficial blood vessel dilation and pigment deposition in the affected skin layers.
Common modern heat sources linked to the condition include:
Heating pads and blankets
Heated car seats and furniture
Laptops and electronic devices resting on the skin
Space heaters and radiators
Thermal pillows and similar warmth devices
Erythema ab igne develops when repeated low-level heat exposure, usually less than the threshold required for a burn, causes biological and structural changes in the skin. Prolonged exposure can lead to damage in superficial blood vessels (venous plexus) and elastic skin fibers, as well as the deposition of melanin and hemosiderin pigments, which produces the characteristic reticular pattern.
Over weeks to years, continued exposure may increase the risk of skin thickening, atrophy, or, in very rare long-term cases, thermal keratosis and even cutaneous malignancies, although most cases remain benign.
Diagnosis is usually based on clinical examination and a history of chronic heat exposure. A dermatologist may evaluate the pattern of skin changes and correlate it with exposure habits to distinguish erythema ab igne from other dermatological conditions.
Discontinue or significantly reduce direct heat exposure, eliminating the offending heat source is essential for stopping progression.
Healing and fading - discoloration may slowly diminish over several weeks to years once heat exposure ceases.
Topical therapies - for persistent hyperpigmentation, dermatologists may consider topical retinoids, laser therapy, or depigmenting agents.
Monitoring - some clinicians recommend monitoring for skin abnormalities, including lesions that do not heal, due to rare associations with thermal keratoses or malignancy.
Because the condition is linked to frequency, duration, and proximity of heat exposure, preventive recommendations often emphasize:
Limiting continuous heating pad use — avoid prolonged sessions, especially directly against bare skin.
Placing a barrier (such as clothing or a cloth) between the skin and the heat source.
Seeking evaluation if persistent skin changes or discoloration develop.
References
Harvard Health Publishing. “What Is Toasted Skin Syndrome?” Harvard Health, Harvard Medical School, accessed March 2026. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/what-is-toasted-skin-syndrome.
WebMD. “Erythema Ab Igne (Toasted Skin Syndrome).” WebMD, accessed March 2026. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/erythema-ab-igne.
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