Heating Pad–Induced Burns Leading to Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury: Case Report

Heating pads are commonly used for pain relief and are generally considered safe; however, prolonged or inappropriate use may result in significant thermal injury. We report the case of a 26-year-old male with a history of psychiatric illness and substance use who presented to the emergency department with deep partial-thickness burns to the back following prolonged heating pad use. Laboratory evaluation revealed severe rhabdomyolysis (creatine kinase 16,823 IU/L) and acute kidney injury (creatinine 11.56 mg/dL), necessitating transfer to a burn center and initiation of renal replacement therapy. Despite involving approximately 10% total body surface area, the burn resulted in significant systemic complications. The patient improved with aggressive fluid resuscitation, dialysis, and surgical management, including grafting, and was discharged after recovery. This case highlights that relatively limited burns from low-intensity heat sources can result in deep tissue injury, rhabdomyolysis, and severe acute kidney injury. Early recognition and prompt management are critical to improving outcomes.