To the Editor.—
The clinical manifestations of erythema ab igne are well known and consist of a reticulated red or brown macular eruption resulting from infrared radiation, occurring most commonly on the lower legs and backs of women. The initial manifestation is erythema, which eventuates into dusky brown macular bands and is usually associated with mild symptoms such as itching and burning.1 We had the opportunity to perform a critical histopathologic study on skin biopsy specimens taken from early red and later dusky brown patches from the backs of two women with classic erythema ab igne.
Report of Cases.—Case 1.—
A 48-year-old obese woman presented to our office with a reticulated macular eruption on the lower aspect of the back that was mildly tender and pruritic. She had had chronic low back pain secondary to degenerative disk disease for 20 years, and had undergone surgery in 1966, 1975,