subject: Laptop heat exposure not healthy for users [print this page] A pediatric dermatologist at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, has released a clinical finding concerning the potential health effects of heat exposure associated with the misuse of a laptop.
Although the name "laptop" may suggest resting the unit on the legs of the user, Dr. Howard Pride, associate professor, department of dermatology and pediatrics, said continued heat exposure from a warm battery may lead to a brown skin discoloration that represents a net-like pattern, called Erythema ab igne (EAI).Acer laptop battery.
Pride said although the pathogenesis of EAI is poorly understood, it is associated with chronic, repeated exposure to moderate heat from an external source such as a heating pad, hot water bottle, and more recently, laptops. Compaq laptop battery.
"This case demonstrates a newly recognized etiology for EAI," said Pride. "It is important for physicians to be able to recognize novel heat sources as potential causative agents for this entity and to instruct their patients to discontinue such exposure."
Pride said from a medical standpoint, EAI is harmless, and the discoloration may dissipate once the heat contact ceases. In rare cases, he said, continued exposure can lead to squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) or make the discoloration permanent.
In his finding, Pride discovered that the exposure to heat does not have to be long and typically occurs more often in women than men. The skin condition is not a burn but results from low grade, chronic heat analogous to a heating pad, Pride continued.
Pride recommends that people with EAI protect their skin by discontinuing the heat exposure from laptops and other sources of heat. Toshiba laptop battery.
To prevent heat exposure from laptops, Pride recommends placing the laptop on a table allowing dissipation of heat and free ventilation for the fan.
"Putting something between the legs and the laptop, such as a pillow, will insulate the skin from the heat, but may not allow as good ventilation," said Pride.
Pride noted that short periods of time with the laptop resting on the skin won't cause any problems.
