The report tells of a 12-year-old boy that suffered “a sponge-patterned skin discolouration” on parts of his thighs after several months of long gaming hours each day. A similar effect was found on a student from Virginia, in the U.S. She needed treatment for an irregular skin pattern after her laptop reached temperatures of 52C (125F) on its base, whilst she had it sitting on her lap for up to six hours a day.

“Toasted skin syndrome” and its conditions have now been published in the journal Paediatrics by Swiss researchers. Its is said that it can also be caused by heat sources which may not be hot enough to cause actual burns.

While classed as generally harmless, the condition can permanently darken the skin. In some rare cases can lead to skin cancer and with prolonged periods reduce sperm production. Suggestions are that if you need to work with your laptop on your legs to use a carry case or heatsheild as protection.

It is worth pointing out that the major manufacturers such as Apple,Dell and Hewlett Packard, do warn against use of their laptops in this way. Check out The Sun for more information and tell us if this will change the way you position your portable device?

More About: laptop, skin

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad