Rash from hot water bottle *image included*

[Netball01]

I’ve had a bad back for months & been relying on a hot water bottle to relieve the pain. I noticed this rash on my back a few weeks ago so I’ve really cut back but the marks aren’t going away 😔

Has anyone had this and managed to get rid of it quickly ? I’m going away next month and I’m worried about being in a bikini.

If it's from a hot water bottle, it's probably a minor burn rather than a rash. And you'll need to keep it out of the sun (either way).

I recommend stop using the hot water bottle. This is a rash where the skin is exposed to continued heat source. Looks like you may have been using a hot water bottle for some time?

Cold not hot for a bad back.

I used to get a similar rash on my legs from a hot water bottle. Tbh it took ages to go, sorry.

I'm in a support group for people who often use hot water bottles for regular pain. Lots of people end up with these marks. Will see if I can find any feedback about how long it lasts...

It's called "erythema ab igne". Related to prolonged use of hot water bottle/heat. They can take a long time to resolve.

Eeek! Okay thanks everyone sounds like I need to go cold turkey on the hot water bottle & but a swimming costume!

I used to get this on my legs as a child after sitting too close to the fire (no central heating). We called it Red Fire Disease.

Yes, I remember having this from the same thing. It does take a very long time to go away.

I think it depends on your skin. I get it from using a hot water bottle at work due to my office being freezing. It goes relatively quickly.

I've never had a rash from a hot water bottle but as an endometriosis sufferer I used one for years and years. Until one day, I got into bed with it and it burst. Literally no reason, it was just on top of my pj top and it burst. Hot water all over my tummy, pelvis and thighs. The pain was excruciating and I had to go to hospital, luckily I knew not to pull my pj bottoms off as the dr said if I'd of done that I'd of taken the skin with them. I've never used one since and use wheat bags instead. Just wanted to warn others.

@elm26 that sounds horrible!

... or you could do the sensible thing and cut back on the hot water bottle and still wear a bikini?!?

I had it when I had gallstones. It is sometimes permanent but you need to stop using a hot water bottle there if you want it to go away and it might never, mine did eventually fade but I never use a hot water bottle there anymore as it will cause it to come back.

I got one of these yesterday evening on my leg from having a hot water bottle on the sofa next to me. It wasn't brown, but red. It's gone today. I have got them before and they go within hours. However, maybe it depends on how long the heat is held against the skin. As soon as I notice this mottling I take the heat away.

@Netball01
did your rash go away in the end?
I started a thread on the same thing, but just came across your one and wondered what happened in the end?

My mother had permanently marked legs just like that. In the days of no central heating she used to sit with her legs stretched out in front of an electric fire every evening. Hopefully yours will fade if it’s a one off. But either use a hot water bottle cover or wear a thick jumper or fleece between your skin and the hot water bottle.

You should stop using the HWB entirely. I don’t want to scare you but long term use of heat like this can cause skin cancer. I didn’t know this before but a friend of mine developed it from long term use of a HWB. I now only use a heated blanket for short periods of time on a low heat as it can result in the same damage. If you are worried, get it checked out by your GP but hopefully no serious damage done.

@flyingfar
Thanks for your message and it tallies with what I read on the internet. I am shocked that the problem with hot water bottles and how they can affect your skin is not more widely known. My bottle has a cover but I may need to get a thicker one. From what I have read heating pads aren’t a real solution as they can cause the same problem?
I don’t think my blotches look as bad as the OPs but definitely v visible/obvious :(

@flyingfar
sorry I see your comment on heated blanket - low heat for short periods. Thanks!

Frankly, I think all heating devices should have warnings. I bought a heated throw from Lakeland and it does have one but I’ve never seen one on a HWB. Sitting too close to a fire can also do it. I’ve always liked heat, especially for period pains and back ache, but I don’t do it any longer.

I am quite stunned by learning all of this - I had no idea! It does make sense though that prolonged heat could cause damage. It is going to be tough to change as I have a HWB probably 70% of evenings across the year. My teenage son esp likes standing v close in front of the fire - so this will now be another thing to argue about! However I don’t want skin cancer and wear hats year round to protect myself (am not in the UK).

Maybe not make it so hot, get a thicker cover and put it under a throw and not next to your skin? It will still keep you warm.

@Corneliafunk its nearly gone but a little mottling is still there - I was using a hot water bottle almost constantly for months though

This is worrying as I have a HWB most nights apart from the rare heatwaves we get. I warm my freezing feet and when my hips or knees wake me with pain in the night it soothes that. I do use a cover though.