Medical Care

No definitive therapy is available for erythema ab igne. Reducing or eliminating exposure to the heat source early in the erythema ab igne disease process may reverse the hyperpigmentation. In cases of short duration, complete resolution occurs with removal of the offending heating device. More advanced cases may respond somewhat to tretinoin, and 5-fluorouracil cream can help clear epithelial atypia.^{[21, 41]}

Surgical Care

In patients with chronic erythema ab igne that results in hyperpigmentation, photothermolysis using the Nd:YAG, ruby, or alexandrite laser may improve the appearance of the lesions of erythema ab igne.

Activity

Cessation of chronic heat exposure is paramount in erythema ab igne. In mildly affected patients with little or no pigmentary change, their condition may resolve within several months.

Prevention

Reducing or eliminating exposure to the heat source can help prevent erythema ab igne development.

Long-Term Monitoring

As in patients with chronic solar damage, monitor patients with erythema ab igne at regular intervals for possible development of thermal keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, and squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, although not yet reported, other cutaneous malignancies (eg, malignant melanoma) feasibly may develop within the affected areas.

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Red rash resembling lacework or a fishing net on leg.
Red rash resembling lacework or a fishing net on back.

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Author

Laila I Al-Otaibi, MBBCh, MSc Specialist Registrar, Dermatology Centre, Dubai Health Authority, UAE

Laila I Al-Otaibi, MBBCh, MSc is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Anwar Al Hammadi, MD, FRCPC Consultant and Head of Dermatology, Rashid Hospital, Dubai Health Authority; Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology, Dubai Medical College; Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology, University of Sharjah, UAE

Anwar Al Hammadi, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Canadian Dermatology Association, Skin Cancer Foundation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

David F Butler, MD Former Section Chief of Dermatology, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System; Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Founding Chair, Department of Dermatology, Scott and White Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Phi Beta Kappa, Texas Dermatological Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Edward F Chan, MD Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Edward F Chan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Professor and Chairman, Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Marjan Garmyn, MD, PhD Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Chair and Adjunct Head, Department of Dermatology, University of Leuven, Belgium

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The authors and editors of Medscape Reference gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, Robert S. Bader, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

Erythema Ab Igne Treatment & Management

Medical Care

Surgical Care

Activity

Prevention

Long-Term Monitoring

References

Tables

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