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"
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?"
Image credits: teezubal
Image credits: teezubal
Image credits: teezubal
"It's fine. I promise"
Image credits: teezubal
The video has been viewed by more than 60 million people
And they aren’t so sure Meagan is really “fine”
Meagan clarified a few details people were initially confused about
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
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."
Image credits: dermguru
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."
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."
Image credits: dermguru
Mild cases of toasted skin syndrome can resolve in a few months, but severe ones can lead to permanent skin discoloration
Some folks still aren’t ready to say goodbye to their heating pads
Eventually, Meagan made an update on her situation, and she didn’t appear to be too worried about it
Image credits: teezubal
Image credits: teezubal
Image credits: 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."
"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."