Erythema ab igne (EAI)

Erythema ab igne (EAI) (Buschke heat melanosis, Toasted skin Syndrome, Fire stains)

From 45 ° C, protein denaturation occurs in the human organism, which can lead to functional and structural damage.

Often caused by sitting in hot stoves and fireplaces, the rash occurs on the shins. But also hot water bottles and heating pads can lead to an EAI on extensive use of the abdomen, back or feet, and may sometimes be accompanied by a slight burning or pulling. Anyone who works as a cook or baker may know it more as an occupational disease on the arms and face. Recent reports from France also lead the putting off of a powered laptop for a long time on the lap as the cause.

If the heat irritation fades, then the EAI can disappear again. Prolonged heat exposure, however, may increase and manifest the pigmentation of the skin. If the effect is more permanent, the skin may become atrophic and keratoses (precursors), Merkel cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma may very rarely occur.

In addition to its own problems as a possible point of attachment of a tumor, the EAI should also be able to point diagnostically to internal diseases, including tumors. (Thorsten Fischer, Naturopath Osteopathy, 25.02.2010)