Erythema Ab Igne in a 12-Year-Old Boy Diagnosed via Telemedicine

Abstract

In March of 2020, an otherwise healthy 12-year-old boy developed a unilateral patch of reticulated erythema limited to his left lower extremity. The child could not be examined in the clinic due to limited in-person appointments during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, so he was examined via a telemedicine visit. The diagnosis of erythema ab igne was made as his mother verified that the child was spending approximately two hours per day playing video games in the cold basement of his house, with a space heater positioned close to his left leg. Our case of erythema ab igne is unique due to the relatively young age of the affected child, and it provides an example of how this diagnosis can be made via a telemedicine visit. Being able to recognize the classic appearance of erythema ab igne through the scrutiny of photographs and obtaining pertinent history can preclude the need for an in-person visit during times when home sequestration may be a necessity.