Experts issue hot water bottle warning as they can cause 'toasted skin syndrome'
If you are using a hot water bottle to warm yourself up this winter, you need to be careful as one side effect of using them for prolonged periods has been linked to cancer.
With temperatures falling sharply across the country and winter upon us for the foreseeable future months, many will take to digging the hot water bottle out of the cupboard it was slung in after the last cold spell and snuggling up on the sofa to keep warm.
However tempting it is to have your wobbly friend giving you a comforting hug, not to mention saving you having to crank the heating up too high, you should be aware there is a potential side-effect that could have a nasty sting in its tail.
Prolonged exposure to heated items, such as hot water bottles, heaters, heat pads, laptops and other electronic devices can cause a condition called toasted skin syndrome which has been linked to a higher risk of skin cancer.
The condition is caused by a low heat which is not high enough in temperature to cause an actual burn but can cause vascular changes in superficial blood vessels and possibly the collagen and elastin of the skin too.
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It presents itself in the form of a red or brown rash that has a net-like pattern and can itch, burn or even sting. Once the heat source is removed, the rash should disappear within a month or so.
In severe cases where the skin has ulcerated or lesions have evolved, Byrdie.com says there have been reports indicating a possible link between toasted skin syndrome and non-melanoma skin cancers.
However US dermatologists Michele Green and Lavanya Krishnan told the site most cases resolve on their own and can be treated with over-the-counter medication. "Depending on the location of the rash, areas with thinner skin may respond to over-the-counter Hydrocortisone 1% cream (a topical steroid cream)," said Krishnan.
"Over-the-counter retinol creams, can also be helpful," she says, as they can stimulate collagen production that may have been damaged by the heat source.
To help with any pain associated with the rash, they recommend taking paracetamol or Ibuprofen and using Aloe Vera to soothe the skin. Green also says a homemade whole milk compress can be applied two to three times a day alongside an oral antihistamine.
They both advise seeking medical attention from a dermatologist if these treatments don't work. To prevent toasted skin syndrome they recommend sitting at least two metres away from a heater and to avoid using a heated product as much as possible.
Use a heating device like a hot water bottle to warm up initially and never for prolonged periods - set a timer or an alarm in case you fall asleep and always keep laptops away from exposed skin with a table or pillow.
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