Gamer’s Dermatitis: When Victory Comes with a Rash

Abstract

Background As video gaming has become increasingly common, dermatologists are seeing more skin changes related to prolonged play. Several conditions linked to gaming have been described, usually tied to friction, pressure, sweating, or irritation from equipment. We report a case of bilateral forearm lichenification that developed from repeated contact with a worn gaming chair, a pattern not widely reported.

Case Presentation A 32-year-old man presented with an itchy and occasionally tender rash on both elbows and dorsal forearms. He reported playing video games six to eight hours per day. While gaming, he rested his forearms on the chair’s armrests, which had gradually worn down and lost their padding. He noted the rash flared when he played more frequently. On exam, he had well-defined, lichenified plaques with mild erythema in the areas where his arms contacted the chair. There were no vesicles, signs of infection, or systemic symptoms.

Discussion Most previously published gaming-related dermatoses involve the hands, particularly pressure points on the palms or thumbs. In this case, the distribution and appearance of the plaques suggested frictional injury from repeated rubbing against a rough surface. The history was key; the connection between his gaming habits and symptoms only became clear after asking specifically about his chair and how he positioned his arms.

Conclusion This case highlights the value of asking about gaming behaviors when evaluating localized dermatitis. Adjusting the patient’s setup and using topical treatment can improve symptoms without requiring him to stop gaming.