Pediatric erythema ab igne: clinical aspects and diagnostic issues.

Abstract

Theoccurrence of erythema ab igne in children (and especially in adolescents) is likely to increase in the next years because of the greater and sometimes inappropriate use of technological devices.Physicians should be aware of this condition in order to prevent patients from useless investigations, especially in the differential diagnosis of rheumatic disorders. A careful and complete patient's history with active questioning about the potential exposure to heating source is often decisive to diagnose erythema ab igne. • Erythema ab igne is a dermatological condition which is mainly described in adults exposed to heating source at the workplace. • The occurrence of erythema ab igne in children is likely to increase in the next years because of the greater and sometimes inappropriate use of technological devices. • Erythema ab igne in children can be classified in two main categories, based on the presence or absence of comorbidity. • A careful and complete anamnesis (including the active questioning about potential exposure to any heating source) is the mainstay for diagnosing erythema ab igne in children.