Shereene IdrissBoard Certified Derm, Founder and Chief Nerd

Sleeping with a Heating Pad? Watch this #shorts

26 Jan 2026 · 1 min

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Dermatologist Shereene Idriss warns that sleeping with a heating pad can cause erythema ab igne, a permanent pigmentation disorder from repeated heat exposure. It also raises skin cancer risk. Treatment options include tretinoin or laser, but the best move is to stop using the heat source.

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So Megan sleeps with this heating pad. How her skin is now.
Do you think that's normal? I'm a dermatologist and it took me 12 years to learn this. And I'm going to teach it to you in 30 seconds. She has is the disorder of pigmentation also known as erythema ab igny. It's due to repeated exposure to heat sources like a heater or your laptop or a heat vest. Especially with this winter cold linger for a very long time and even increase your risk of skin cancer. But you can treat it with tretinoin or even laser treatments. Especially if it's still red and early stages. Plus you get rid of that heat source.