Hot water bottles: What you need to be careful of

With winter fast approaching and the cost of living on a steady incline, many people will turn to hot water bottles as cheaper source of heating. However, if used for a long period of time, it could pose some health risks. One common side effect of using hot water bottles is a skin condition known as erythema ab igne.

Hot water bottle rash

Scientifically known as erythema ab igne, this is a type of skin condition brought on by prolonged exposure to heat such as pressing hot water bottle to an area of your skin for warmth or to treat chronic pain. A GP who was speaking on the Lorraine show on ITV, Dr Amir Khan expressed worry that with heating costs going up in the UK, more people could develop the condition.

If you put your hot water bottle against your skin, you get this kind of a wavy, red rash on your skin. It does fade after time if you take the hot water bottle away, but it does look quite serious when you have it.

Health risks

According to Now Patient, a mild case of this condition should typically disappear within a few weeks/months. Severe pigmentation could last for years. There is some evidence to suggest a link between hot water bottle rash and some types of cancers.

The type of rash caused by using hot water bottles is often characterized by mottled-looking skin, with some sufferers complaining of mild itchiness and a burning sensation. Dr Khan advises against continuous use of the bottle when this rash is identified.

He added that old water bottles should be checked before use as there have been cases of some bottles exploding resulting in ‘severe burns’, the Irish Mirror reports.

If it's an old one you haven't used for ages, fill it up first and give it a good squeeze because you need to make sure it's in a good condition.

Sources used:

Irish Mirror:Doctor warns hot water bottles can cause skin condition erythema ab igne

DermNet: Erythema ab igne

Now Patient: Erythema Ab Igne from hot water bottles