A Hyperpigmented Reticular Rash in a Patient on Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Chronically ill patients often develop uncommon exam findings. A 16-year-old female with end-stage renal disease secondary to immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis on peritoneal dialysis (PD) developed a pruritic, hyperpigmented reticular rash on her abdomen, sparing the PD catheter insertion site. The rash appeared approximately 6 weeks after initiating PD. She used a heating pad nightly during PD for dialysis drain pain. Testing for systemic and autoimmune disease was negative. She was referred to Dermatology, who confirmed the diagnosis of erythema ab igne (EAI), a well-described but less well-known hyperpigmented reticular cutaneous eruption caused by chronic exposure to low levels of infrared heat. The eruption is typically painless but is often pruritic. Common sources of heat include fires, stoves, portable heaters, heating pads, and laptop computers. The association between EAI and PD is unknown. Our patient discontinued the heating pad and her rash resolved.

Erythema ab igne in an individual with diabetes and gastroparesis

“…Biopsy of the lesion was not performed in the patient as it was clear that the lesion was due to application of heat source as the lesion started to fade during the patient’s hospital stay 6. Biopsy is usually recommended to rule out cancer if lesions are not fading after the removal of heat source 7…”