Anyone get hot water bottle rash?

[Badger74]

Hello ladies; my rash from almost constantly using a hot water bottle is getting so bad and i wondered if anyone else has this and more importantly if they'd managed to find a way to get rid of it? I'm trying to wean myself off it slowly, but it really is the only way to get relief from my pain. I might try those heat patch plaster thingies? Thanks for reading

[Cloudyrain]

I get it, but find it goes a few days after I have stopped using them. I use the microwavable wheat bags, but am contemplating splashing out on those large corset ones from Betterwear - wow, never thought I would be so rock and roll! I do know some ladies have had actual burn scars from extensive water bottle use. You could try using something that protects the skin, like aqueous cream, to help build up the skins reserves, but not at the same time you are actually using the bottles because it would just cause more problems x

[Impatient]

When you say rash do you mean a skin surface reaction like small blisters to the hotwater bottle rubber,

or is this an underskin surface problem called "Toasted Skin syndrome" which is what you get when you spend too long next to a gas fire for long periods of time. What my Scottish great Aunt called Tatty-Tartan? the medical term is "Erythema Ab Igne" if you look on google pictures...

Like this image:

dermgunner.com/wp-content/u...

what i called giraffe skin, when i was younger and 1st came to the UK. I was so cold I would sit next to the fire most evenings to keep warm and the sides of my legs both looked like this.

It does take absolutely ages to disappear, and i have read that in some people it never disappears because you have cooked the blood vessels too much.

The only way to stop it is to remove the source of heat.

Mine took a couple of years to vanish, but i was only a fit and healthy but cold teenager in those days.

If your reaction was a dematitis allergic reaction to the hotwater bottle rubber, then knit or crochet or buy a woolly cover for the hot water bottle.

Dilute the hotwater bottle with cold water to bring the temperature down to about 40 degrees,

You could measure this with a thermometer and a measuring jug to get the right balance of boiling water and cold tap water.

Your body temperature should be around 37 degrees C or 100 degrees fahrenheit average.

Boiling water is 100 degrees C or 212 degrees fahrenheit. more than Twice as hot !!

It does cook your tiny blood vessels causing them to expand and burst.

There is no cure for the Giraffe skin but to leave it in peace to recover by itself hopefully.

Perhaps speak to your GP about getting referred to a pain clinic, you certainly cannot go on using the hotwater bottle as a pain reliever at high temperature.

These giraffe rashes can lead to skin cancers, so please be careful Badger.

[DeniseG in reply to Impatient]

Hi ladies

I suffer from the problem due to over use of the hot water bottle

How does it lead to skin cancer? Sorry for my ignorance but I was quite alarmed when I read this.

Xx

[Badger74 in reply to DeniseG]

I presume its something similar to skin cancer from sunbathing without cream or sunbeds? The overexposure of the heat source and its effects on the skin's natural properties? I've not really looked into it tbh, as i didn't want anything else to worry about, but i will mention it to my GP when i next see her. Sorry, that's not much help!x

[Badger74]

Thanks to you both for your replies. I think it is that type of rash you mentioned Impatient. I had no idea it was an actual condition! I'm definitely going to stop using one as I had no idea it could lead to cancer! And sometimes it gets so bad I get proper burns and open sores. I'll go and see my GP about it I think. Thanks again. X

[Bombers2020]

Wow I’m really worried now I have used a hot water bottle for ages and to keep me warm in bed in a cover and boiling water in it straight on my tummy I have blotches all over my tummy which looks horrible I might visit my GP who will tell me of course I’m an idiot but until then laser is expensive is there any other good creams I can use

[IMT29 in reply to Bombers2020]

Bio oli or Shea butter !!