“She’s Literally Cooking Herself”: Woman With ‘Toasted Skin Syndrome’ Goes Viral

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.

“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.

Image credits: meaganraquel

“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.

Image credits: teezubal

Close-up of a woman’s skin showing the effects of toasted skin syndrome after heating pad use.

Image credits: teezubal

Close-up of woman’s hands showing skin condition from heating pad use related to toasted skin syndrome.

Image credits: teezubal

“It’s fine. I promise”

Woman showing skin condition caused by heating pad use, illustrating toasted skin syndrome on her back.

Image credits: teezubal

The video has been viewed by more than 60 million people

@teezubal @MeaganRaquel ♬ original sound – teezubal

And they aren’t so sure Meagan is really “fine”

Screenshot of a social media comment about cooking oneself, relating to toasted skin syndrome from using a heating pad.

Comment reading she’s literally cooking herself expressing reaction to woman’s video about toasted skin syndrome from heating pad use

Comment from user C.C advising using a weighted blanket and taking iron immediately for cold, viral video on toasted skin syndrome.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing a heating pad causing toasted skin syndrome with a skull emoji.

Comment by Lily Martinez warning about body signals related to toasted skin syndrome after heating pad use.

Screenshot of a social media comment referencing someone hiding that they are bitten, related to toasted skin syndrome.

Social media comment questioning Megan’s nails, highlighting engagement with trending Heated Skin Syndrome discussions.

Woman sharing viral video showing effects of toasted skin syndrome after using a heating pad with visible skin discoloration.

Comment warning about toasted skin syndrome caused by using a heating pad, urging immediate medical attention.

Comment highlighting warning on heating pad use to avoid toasted skin syndrome and related skin damage risks.

Woman’s comment on viral video about body changes from using heating pad causing toasted skin syndrome.

TikTok comment questioning heating pad settings in viral video showing body effects of toasted skin syndrome.

Social media comment warning about rashes and blisters caused by excessive heating pad use and toasted skin syndrome.

Comment on social media post expressing concern about someone named Megan, featuring crying emojis and a heart icon.

Comment warning about risks of using heating pads and heated blankets leading to toasted skin syndrome concerns.

Comment by Nancy Duarte saying Have y’all seen walking dead with 3,073 likes on social media platform.

Comment warning about the dangers of toasted skin syndrome and the increased risk of skin cancer from heating pad use.

Comment by kDavis showing text about laughing and quoting Morgan Freeman about not being fine, with 2163 likes.

Comment from user simplyanajah saying maybe I should stop, in response to video about toasted skin syndrome after heating pad use.

Comment from user nic advising to see a dermatologist to check for skin issues related to toasted skin syndrome.

Comment by user Serafim explaining toasted skin syndrome caused by prolonged heating pad exposure and recommending medical advice.

Comment from social media user DabisWife expressing concern about fingers and nails, related to toasted skin syndrome.

Comment from Belle sharing a story about back pain and diagnosis, related to toasted skin syndrome and heating pad use.

Comment discussing tired appearance and recommending safer use of heating pads to avoid toasted skin syndrome.

Social media comment expressing disbelief with crying emojis, related to toasted skin syndrome viral video.

Alt text: Social media comment about woman’s viral video showing effects of toasted skin syndrome from heating pad use.

Comment about blood settling in a dead body, reflecting on the appearance linked to toasted skin syndrome.

Screenshot of a social media comment explaining toasted skin syndrome as common for chronic pain patients.

Comment on social media post by Andy about a doctor's appointment, related to toasted skin syndrome awareness.

Screenshot of a social media comment replying to Megan, related to heated pad use and toasted skin syndrome discussion.

Screenshot of a TikTok comment saying you’d think that would be the sign to stop, related to toasted skin syndrome.

Meagan clarified a few details people were initially confused about

Comment from user MeaganRaquel clarifying nails are from hair coloring, not a disease, related to toasted skin syndrome awareness.

Screenshot of a social media post where a woman describes using a heating pad for back pain and mentions toasted skin syndrome.

Manhattan-based dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, M.D., says that toasted skin syndrome, officially known as erythema ab igne (EAI), is a “pattern of discoloration that occurs in areas of skin after prolonged exposure to heat sources.”

Skin changes can occur after prolonged exposure to any heat source, Camp explains, including laptops, heated car seats, hot water bottles, electric blankets, space heaters and heating pads used to treat lower back pain.

However, your body won’t look like Meagan’s just from a few uses. “[Toasted skin syndrome] occurs after repeated exposure to the same heat source.” The main cause is long-term exposure to heat “below the threshold for thermal burn,” Camp adds.

He says that the long-term risk of toasted skin syndrome is the “development of malignancies,” like certain cancers, in affected areas due to damaged skin cells.

And some dermatologists have released quick lessons on her condition

Woman showing stomach with skin affected by toasted skin syndrome after using heating pad excessively

Image credits: dermguru

Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky, M.D., is a dermatologist who practices on the Gulf Coast. She addressed the condition in depth on her own TikTok account, saying “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.”

Woman showing back with toasted skin syndrome caused by heating pad use with text erythema ab igne visible.

Image credits: dermguru

Woman explaining toasted skin syndrome caused by long-term use of a heating pad and laptop heat on the body.

Image credits: dermguru

According to Zubritsky, “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.

Image credits: dermguru

The dermatologist says you can even get it from car seats, or on your hands if you’re using your cell phone all the time or work in a hot kitchen.

However, if you do, there’s nothing wrong with you. You just have to listen to your body. “You stop the heat source, and it tends to go away,” Zubritsky says. But, again, you have to do so as soon as you notice the signs, as “it could leave behind hyperpigmentation that can last a long time.”

Diagram showing common body areas affected by toasted skin syndrome from heating pads and personal heaters.

Image credits: dermguru

Mild cases of toasted skin syndrome can resolve in a few months, but severe ones can lead to permanent skin discoloration

@dermguru cool it with the heat 🔥 #dermguru#dermreacts#dermstitch#dermtok#toastedskinsyndrome#erythemaabigne#greenscreen stitch with @Faith ♬ original sound – Dermguru

Some folks still aren’t ready to say goodbye to their heating pads

Comment on social media from user rachistired25 mentioning debilitating cramps with 2231 likes, related to toasted skin syndrome.

Comment by user JJ Newberry saying but I'm so very cold with a pleading face emoji, about toasted skin syndrome.

Screenshot of a social media comment asking about heated car seats with a crying emoji, related to toasted skin syndrome.

Comment by Alondra Sierra discussing chronic pain relief using heat belts and heating pads and mentioning toasted skin syndrome.

Screenshot of a social media comment discussing heating pad use and its relation to toasted skin syndrome.

Screenshot of a social media comment saying I was not ready for the legs, reacting to toasted skin syndrome video.

Comment by Sienna Estella discussing no severe side effects and intention to continue use related to toasted skin syndrome.

Social media comment from Maddi expressing a desire for pain relief in response to a video about toasted skin syndrome.

User comment about continuing to use a heating pad despite risk of toasted skin syndrome.

Eventually, Meagan made an update on her situation, and she didn’t appear to be too worried about it

Woman in black long sleeve shirt smiling and waving showing effects of toasted skin syndrome from heating pad use.

Image credits: teezubal

Woman lifting shirt to reveal toasted skin syndrome caused by heating pad use on her lower back.

Image credits: teezubal

Woman showing hands affected by toasted skin syndrome from heating pad use in a casual indoor setting.

Image credits: teezubal

@teezubal♬ original sound – teezubal

“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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