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Gluteal Burns from a Car Seat Heater in a Neurologically Intact Patient: A Case Report
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Gluteal Burns from a Car Seat Heater in a Neurologically Intact Patient: A Case Report

Andrew R Ketterer and Christopher P Hogrefe
The Journal of emergency medicine, Vol.56(6), pp.e107-e109
06/2019
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.02.006
PMID: 31023634

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Abstract

Car seat heaters are an increasingly common amenity in vehicles in the United States, but they have been shown to place neurologically impaired patients at risk for significant burns. We discuss the case of a neurologically intact and otherwise healthy 49-year-old man who presented to the Emergency Department with second-degree gluteal and posterior upper thigh burns after using a car seat warmer for 8 consecutive hours. At no point during the course of his drive did he experience discomfort beyond feeling slightly warm. The patient was treated with supportive therapy and standard wound care, and he had a full recovery after 10 days. We review the pathophysiology of burns and discuss how seat heaters can place even neurologically intact patients at risk for significant burn injuries. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Our case is the first published report of a neurologically intact patient sustaining significant burns from the use of a car seat heater. This case illustrates that burn injuries can develop after prolonged exposure even at low temperatures. Emergency physicians should perform a careful skin examination on all patients presenting with gluteal discomfort in whom a history of car seat warmer use is obtained.
 Automobiles Burns - etiology Burns - physiopathology Buttocks - injuries Buttocks - physiopathology Emergency Service, Hospital - organization & administration Hot Temperature - adverse effects Humans Male Middle Aged

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