With the increasing popularity of heating pads and blankets, more and more people are asking how to get rid of heating pad burns.
Whether you are dealing with an acute injury, sore muscles, or menstrual discomfort, there is nothing more soothing than a heating pad.
As helpful as they can be, any type of heating pad also puts you at risk of dealing with burns if not used correctly.
Let’s go over every must-know point below to understand how to use heating pads safely and what to do if you’ve burned yourself.
What Are Heating Pad Burns?
Heating pad burns can vary in severity, as some may lead to toasted skin syndrome, and others can cause second-degree burns in people with thinner skin.
Each medical condition has its own recommended treatment plan, depending on how severe the wounds are.
In most instances, heating pad burns occur with prolonged exposure to a certain level of heat.
There are also instances where heating pads can malfunction, causing them to heat up too quickly and too hot, which can cause significant second-degree burns.
This is particularly common for people exposed to cold temperatures who use their heating tools more often.
How Do Heat Burns Happen?
As someone who has used heating pads for extended periods of time, it can be hard to imagine manufacturers producing a product that can cause serious injury.
However, it is essential to remember that heating pads aren’t natively designed to cause significant skin burns; instead, it has more to do with how you use them.
Heating pad burns, also commonly referred to as thermal burns, occur with exposure to heat over longer periods than individuals suffering from toasted skin syndrome.
They are also the most prevalent cause of burn injuries in the U.S., as thermal burns occur from fire flames, hot objects, hot steam, and even hot oil.
Moreover, you can experience thermal burns by breathing in superheated and steamy air.
Some of the most common symptoms of heating pad burns include:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Blisters
- White, red, or charred skin
- Peeling skin
Like standard burns, heating pad burns can occur in three degrees, from first to third. Let’s look at their differences below:
- First-Degree
These burns are more superficial and affect only the topmost layer of the skin. You are most likely to experience some swelling and redness.
- Second-Degree
Second-degree burns are common with heating pad overuse and affect the top two layers of your skin.
In these instances, you are most likely to notice blisters or scarring, which can take the burns longer to heal.
- Third-Degree
Third-degree burns are also known as full-thickness burns.
As the most severe category of thermal burn, these can cause charred or white-looking skin that requires medical attention.
In most instances, third-degree burns cause very little pain in the burnt area, as they occur with excessive nerve damage.
How Do Heating Pad Burns Happen?
There are several ways you can experience burning from electric heating pads. Let’s explore a few of the most common reasons for heating pad burn injuries worldwide:
Extended Use
By far, the most common reason people experience first- or second-degree burns from their heating pads is from extended use.
Did you know that long-term heating pad exposure (around 12 hours) is commonly cited for second-degree burn injuries?
At first glance, 12 hours might sound like an excessive period, but it is not a huge duration of heating pad use.
In fact, if you live in a cold climate, using a heating pad device for 12 hours is more common than you’d think.
Even at low temperatures, continual exposure to this type of heat can cause second-degree burns.
Heating Element Malfunctions
Aside from chronic heating pad use, faulty equipment is also a common issue with using an electrical heating pad.
As with any electronics you use in your home, it is important to inspect them for any signs of damage over time.
Otherwise, you could expose yourself to considerable harm, including burns or a massive fire hazard in your home.
Fortunately, most modern electrical heating pad manufacturers install a failsafe in their elements to prevent injury.
For example, if the electric heating pads short-circuit, the pad is designed to automatically power off. However, note that this isn’t the case for older models.
It is always best to use the latest personal heating devices from reliable manufacturers. The last thing you want is an old, faulty device that doesn’t meet consumer standards.
What Is Toasted Skin Syndrome?
The medical term for toasted skin syndrome is erythema ab igne.
With this condition, your skin will experience hyperpigmentation (discoloration), burning, and itchiness due to heat exposure.
Interestingly, erythema eb igne doesn’t only occur from heating pad use; it can also come from infrared cosmetic treatments, the seat heater in your car, and other heat sources.
In most instances, it happens with direct exposure to a heat source over a length of time.
The heat won’t be hot enough to burn you, but it can cause significant discoloration and redness over time.
How Does Erythema Ab Igne Happen?
Some evidence suggests it is a result of your elastic skin fibers changing due to heat exposure.
This could also lead to changes in your blood vessels and blood flow, causing skin discoloration.
Many researchers have found that erythema ab igne typically occurs with heat exposure between 109.4 and 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
At first glance, toasted skin syndrome may sound severe, especially because of its hyperpigmentation.
However, most cases can be remedied within minutes, and the discoloration can be eliminated by simply turning off the heating pad.
That said, more severe symptoms of toasted skin syndrome can occur with the continued use of heating tools, like heating blankets and pads.
What Are the Common Causes of Erythema Ab Igne?
As mentioned, a considerable list of items contributes to the prevalence of toasted skin syndrome, many of which you have likely experienced.
A few of the most common examples include:
- Laptops
Resting your laptop directly on your skin is one of the most common causes of erythema ab igne.
As heat is generated from the machine and pushed out through the fans onto your skin, it causes significant redness and warmth.
This is why it is highly recommended to use a laptop tray when working from your bed or the couch.
- Car Seat Heaters
Seat heaters are a fantastic invention that makes travel in the winter far more comfortable. However, exposure to high heat while sitting in a car seat can cause erythema ab igne.
It is best to keep seat heater use to under two hours at a time to reduce discoloration and excessive heating.
- Hot Water Bottles
Hot water bottles are equally as concerning as heating pads for erythema ab igne.
As warmth works its way into the rubber and is transferred to your skin, it can be soothing but also cause discoloration.
Try to use your hot water bottles at shorter intervals to reduce the risk of developing toasted skin syndrome.
How To Get Rid of Heating Pad Burns?
If you have a history of heat exposure, you will likely have to treat a heating pad burn at least once. Fortunately, there are always at-home and over-the-counter remedies to consider.
That said, if your burns are too severe to treat at home with an over-the-counter pain reliever, visit the emergency department for assistance.
Also, always call 911 if the burn falls within the following categories:
- The burn victim is a senior or child
- The skin appears white, brown, or black
- The burn has penetrated most, if not all, skin layers
Step 1: Prepare the Area
After a body skin examination, you will want to prep the area for treatment.
Ideally, remove any constrictive clothing affecting the burned area and run the burn under cool (not cold) water until you experience a bit of relief from the pain.
It can also be helpful to use a cool compress to keep your burn in water and reduce pain and inflammation.
Step 2: Apply a Burn Cream or Ointment
When treating a burn, using your everyday body moisturizer and soap can be tempting. However, exposure to fragrance can make the burn worse and cause infection.
A burn cream or fragrance-free petroleum-based ointment are two of the best conservative treatment options.
After soaking the burn in cool water, pat the area dry and apply the burn ointment. You can then cover the affected area using a sterile bandage or gauze.
It is important to keep your burn clean throughout the day, so ensure you cleanse it with cool water and reapply your ointment two to three times daily.
Step 3: Find Pain Treatment
There is no doubt that over-the-counter treatment options for pain are useful at this point.
It is highly recommended you take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce any pain or discomfort.
What Can I Use To Treat Heating Pad Burns At Home?
Whether dealing with heating pad burns or toasted skin syndrome, there are some great options to alleviate discomfort from chronic heating pad use.
Let’s explore a few of the best options to treat symptoms of prolonged heat exposure at home:
1. Spenco 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads
The Spenco 2nd Skin Moist Burn Pads are a fantastic solution to help with generalized pain from chronic heat exposure and burns.
These individual pads use sterile water to soothe and cool your skin on contact while also creating a protective barrier to prevent bacteria from entering the wound.
Even if you have burns from exposure to heat sources, their unique design helps prevent the bandage from sticking.
2. Boiron Calendula Burn Ointment
The Boiron Calendula Burn Ointment is a top alternative to using cold water on your burns. This homeopathic formula is designed to help soothe and heal burned skin.
Its plant-based active ingredients are great for children and any older person looking for natural remedies.
That said, note that it is specifically formulated for minor burns, such as those from hot water pads and heating pads.
Healthcare professionals recommend using the Boiron Calendula Burn Ointment to reduce skin reactions from the heat of laptops.
3. Curad Soothe & Cool Burn Bandages
The Curad Soothe & Cool Burn Bandages are easy to use and will remain comfortable on the skin even after several hours.
These bandages instantly cool your burned skin upon contact, like a damp towel or ice towel.
You can find small, medium, and large patches for frequent application across your upper thighs, back, or even your hands.
4. Neosporin Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment
As the most popular treatment for burns, the Neosporin Original First Aid Antibiotic Ointment is a fantastic solution.
The petroleum-based ointment also contains antibiotics to help alleviate pain and the likelihood of bacterial infection.
Neosporin’s healing properties can also reduce the likelihood of scarring, even with second-degree burns from an electric blanket or heating pad.
Get Rid of Heating Pad Burns Today!
If you’re researching how to get rid of heating pad burns, you are in luck because numerous store-bought solutions can help.
From soothing bandages to antibiotic ointments, you will be able to significantly reduce pain, limit skin inflammation, and reduce the likelihood of scarring.
However, the best way to avoid heating pad burns is to always ensure you use your heating devices for short periods and as instructed!
Read also: Can You Use a Heating Pad When Pregnant?