The toasted skin “syndrome”: this skin irritation caused by a habit that can hardly be avoided

Have toasted skin, this is the first time we hear that. Yet, this syndrome exists. To discover the source and find out who might be affected by this phenomenon, which until then we had heard little about, scroll down.

What is Toasted Skin Syndrome?

Whether it’s to warm up in winter (especially in the case of energy sobriety like right now) or to limit menstrual pain, almost everyone uses a hot water bottle. In direct or indirect contact with the skin, the heat of the latter relaxes the muscles of the lower abdomen and reduces the sensations of “contractions” felt during this period.

The problem is that by remaining in contact with the epidermis, the latter tends to develop toasted skin syndrome. This expression, which has nothing to do with medicine, designates a great erythema (inflammatory skin disorder characterized by the appearance of red, raised, concentric patches of skin usually distributed symmetrically throughout the body) localizeddefined by a congestive irritation of the area. This may be accompanied by pain, itching, dryness or swelling. A problem that can arise from several factors, starting with the use of water that is too hot to fill the hot water bottle. But the state of its rubber (which has become less waterproof over time) could also be the cause.

How to make sure you don’t develop toasty skin?

There are several ways to ensure that your hot water bottle doesn’t create this type of reaction in your skin.

• Do not place it directly on the epidermis and always take care to wrap it in a handkerchief.
• Avoid filling it with hot and boiling water.
• Make sure you have closed the cap correctly and that no drops come out of the hot water bottle.
• Change your hot water bottle every 2 to 3 years to avoid rubber cracking from frequent use. A recommendation already addressed by the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumers and Fraud Prevention, Consumers and Fraud Prevention: “risk of burns related to possible tearing of the casing, insufficient strength of the welds or of the body of the hot water bottle”

What to do when it happens?

If, despite everything, you find yourself with a rash in the lower abdomen, know that it is the most common dermatological problem in humans.

However, it is important not to take it lightly and to quickly implement actions to do so soothe irritation. To begin with, of course, you have to let the area regenerate itself by interspersing the use of a hot water bottle or any device that emits heat like the electric blanket for example. By removing the source of the problem, the skin should calm down and regain its comfort.but if not, then it will be necessary to rely on a topical treatment, as dermatologist Lavanya Krishnan explains Byrdie :

“Areas with thinner skin may respond to a hydrocortisone cream. Retinol creams can also be helpful, as they can stimulate collagen production that may have been impaired by the heat source. If there’s little or no improvement with these topical treatment options, a dermatologist may be able to offer other prescription alternatives. »

An image credit: @cotton via Pexels.