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Heating pads can improve blood flow, help muscles relax, and decrease joint stiffness, bringing much-needed relief when we’re tired from being sore.
But recently, TikTok user @teezubal uploaded a video of her friend @MeaganRaquel, showing what happened to the woman’s body after taking hers to bed every single night.
The spotty, reddish-brown, net-like discoloration on her back is what’s colloquially known as toasted skin syndrome, and while Meagan dismissed it in the clip, the millions of people who watched it were really concerned.
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“Hi it’s me, heating pad girl”
Woman sitting on bed holding a heating pad close to her face, demonstrating use related to toasted skin syndrome.
“Okay, um, so Megan sleeps with this heating pad. And look. Can you see it? She hasn’t laid on it tonight. This is just how her skin is now. Is. Do you think that’s normal?”
Close-up of a woman’s back showing toasted skin syndrome after using a heating pad regularly.
“This is your sign to give up heating pads unless you want toasted skin syndrome at the very least stop using it chronically and turn down the heat setting. Medical name for this is erythema Ab igne caused by long term exposure to a heat source looks like this lacy or reddish rash like this occurring in areas that are exposed to heat. Most common reason to get is going to be direct application of a heat source to your skin like a heating pad.”
Woman showing back with toasted skin syndrome caused by heating pad use with text erythema ab igne visible.
“You can also get toasted skin syndrome from putting a laptop on your lap long term. And your legs could look something like this if you are constantly using a space heater like this.”
Woman showing toasted skin syndrome on legs caused by using a heating pad, highlighting effects of prolonged heat exposure.
“You can get it from car seats. You can even get it on your hands if you’re using your cell phone all the time or you work in a hot kitchen. Nothing seriously wrong with you. You stop the heat source – it tends to go away. It could leave behind hyperpigmentation that can last a long time”
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Diagram showing common body areas affected by toasted skin syndrome from heating pads and personal heaters.
“Megan, you’re alive!” “I am. I’m here.” “You guys turn around. Show them. Haha, it actually looks a little bit better.” “Well, I didn’t sleep with the heating pad last night. I turned it to low. Low does not work.” “Do you use the heating pad cause your back hurts or because you’re cold? Or both?” Both. Both. I put the heating pad in between my legs.” “I really am addicted to it.” “She might turn to d***s if you guys don’t help.”
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Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.
Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.
I'm a senior visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries
I'm a senior visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries
heating pads are not meant to be used that regularly or for long term... it's like getting cancer from sun beds after too much use and claiming that sunbeds were at fault. I hope she gets help and learns there are better ways to stay warm.
heating pads are not meant to be used that regularly or for long term... it's like getting cancer from sun beds after too much use and claiming that sunbeds were at fault. I hope she gets help and learns there are better ways to stay warm.
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