Erythema Ab Igne: Toasted Skin Syndrome as a Cutaneous Marker of Chronic Pain

Erythema ab igne (EAI) is a rare skin reaction caused by prolonged exposure to low-level heat, resulting in a reticular pattern of localized erythema and hyperpigmentation. This condition carries a potential risk of transformation into cutaneous malignancy. We present the case of a 38-year-old woman who developed a reticular-patterned rash on her abdomen. She had been using hot water bags to alleviate severe abdominal pain associated with chronic cholecystitis, which led to the development of hyperpigmented, mottled, erythematous skin changes across her entire abdomen. After discontinuing heat application, her hyperpigmentation significantly decreased, although the skin changes persisted years later.