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What is toasted skin syndrome ?

Posted on April 19, 2023

What is toasted skin syndrome? And how can you prevent and treat this condition?  Well, this condition is a relatively recent concern, caused by working with your laptop on bare skin for hours on end. Want to know more about the causes and remedies? Keep reading to find out about toasted skin syndrome, and how our Houston and Dallas area vein specialists can help you combat some of its effects.

What is toasted skin syndrome?

According to a study published in the journal Cureus, this condition is a fairly rare form of darkened skin patches caused by extended exposure to heat or infrared light. (Like the kind of exposure you'd get from placing your laptop on bare legs, and leaving it there for hours.)  Now, how does your laptop cause changes in your skin color? Basically, extended exposure to heat can change the superficial blood vessels in your skin. (These are the ones most often involved when you develop spider veins.) Soon, you'll notice patches of discolored or darker skin. but these visible symptoms may just be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the impact of toasted skin syndrome.

Other Signs and Symptoms laptop on lap

While the darker, ‘toasted' skin patches are this syndrome’s main symptom, you may notice other warning signs, similar to those you'd get with a sunburn.

Over time, as you expose your skin to your laptop's heat and light, you may also develop scaling on the skin, along with itchiness, burning or--you may have guessed it--spider veins!

Preventing Toasted Skin Syndrome

Luckily, it's pretty easy to protect yourself from this syndrome. First and foremost, avoid bringing your laptop, iPad or other electronic device in contact with your bare skin. You can accomplish this by wearing long sleeves or pants when you work. Better yet? Think about keeping all devices on a tabletop or standing desk, instead. As a bonus outcome, this decision will also help you counteract some of the side effects of all-day sitting.

Treating Spider Veins in Houston, TX

Have you noticed spider veins forming on your legs, with or without the other symptoms of toasted skin syndrome? Help is available, and it's easier to restore your skin's appearance than you think. Here at our vein health offices in Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Clear Lake and The Woodlands, we offer minimally invasive treatments for spider veins. From sclerotherapy to Radiofrequency Ablation and more, we can provide the best treatment for your needs. So schedule an appointmentschedule an appointmentschedule an appointment today to find out the best way to resolve your spider veins!

 

 

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