Tourniquet syndrome or strangling hair: which symptoms should alert parents? : Current Woman The MAG


Decorative water beads, button batteries, beads, stoppers … These small everyday objects are dangerous for toddlers: if swallowed, they can have serious consequences. But they are not the only ones to be responsible for accidents. A single hair can also be dangerous for babies. This is why tourniquet syndrome, also called “strangling hair”, should be watched closely.

What is tourniquet or strangling hair syndrome?

Tourniquet syndrome is “the consequence of the strangulation of an appendix or an extremity of the body by a constricting link”, according to the American institute The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Clearly, this phenomenon corresponds to the hair or textile fibers (cotton, wool) which can accidentally wrap around the neck, the extremities of a child, namely his fingers or his toes, or around his genitals, such as the penis or labia minora.

“The toes were mostly affected (95%) and the link was often a hair (95%)”, found a study carried out by a team of emergency pediatricians from Toulouse and published in 2010. The specialists indicated that hair loss in mothers after pregnancy and childbirth could promote this phenomenon.

These ties, sometimes caught in clothing, can act as a tourniquet and cut off the infant’s blood flow. This tourniquet effect can lead to infection. Another consequence: necrosis of part of the area affected by this winding. It can also lead to amputation, if the hair or textile fibers have gone unnoticed, the diagnosis is delayed, and the bonds have not pulled out quickly.

According to the Toulouse study, young babies, aged 4 months on average, are the most affected by strangling hair syndrome.

Tourniquet or strangling hair syndrome: what are the causes?

“Often accidental, tourniquet syndrome is generally associated with a lack of hygiene or neglect of care. Certain elements are more often linked to situations of abuse and must be carefully evaluated: type of link, separate nodes, distant locations or aberrant for age “, can we read in the conclusions of the Toulouse work.

Tourniquet or strangling hair syndrome: what are the symptoms?

Tourniquet syndrome manifests as incessant crying during bodily care and red, discolored, and swollen fingers, toes or genitals. If parents notice these symptoms, they should immediately check that there is no hair or textile fibers wrapped around any of their baby’s limbs. If so, the link should be cut and removed. If the affected area is too swollen, it is advisable to go to the emergency room. If the parents removed the link on their own, it is still recommended to see a doctor to make sure there is no infection.

How to treat tourniquet or strangling hair syndrome?

“The speed of diagnosis is important in order to proceed with the removal of the link as soon as possible and to avoid seeing the process progressing to necrosis or spontaneous or surgical amputation of the extremity. The difficulty lies in the fact that inflammatory edema is a slow process that can last for weeks Edema contributes to the burying of the link making it visible, delaying its removal by increasing the risk of bone damage, necrosis and partial amputation or total “, specified on its site the American institute The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Although the bond can be cut with scissors, surgery may be required to remove hair or textile fibers that act as a tourniquet.

Tourniquet syndrome or strangling hair: how to prevent it?

To avoid this phenomenon, baby’s clothes should be washed regularly and turned over before putting them on to check that there is no hair. It is also recommended to frequently inspect the extremities of toddlers and to provide daily body care. Another tip: Parents should tie their hair up, especially if it is long. Thanks to its reflexes, tourniquet syndrome will not be able to go unnoticed and parents will be able to prevent the complications related to this phenomenon.

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