Key takeaways: A hair tourniquet happens when a hair or thread wraps tightly around a toe, finger, or genitals. It can cause swelling, pain, and, if not removed, serious injury. If your baby is crying inconsolably, check fingers, toes, and the diaper area. Seek medical care if you can’t remove it easily or the area is very swollen.
When babies cry and nothing seems to help, it’s worth checking their fingers, toes, and diaper area. A single strand of hair or thread can wrap tightly around a small body part and cut off circulation.
Why It Happens
- Parents often shed more hair in the months after birth (postpartum hair loss).
- Hair and threads can get trapped in socks, mittens, sleepers, and blankets.
- As a baby moves, the strand wraps more tightly, and swelling makes it harder to see.
Where It Happens
- Toes (most common).
- Fingers.
- Penis.
- Clitoris or labia.
Signs
- Sudden, inconsolable crying.
- A red, swollen, or bluish finger, toe, or genital area.
- A visible groove or line around the digit.
- The strand may be hard to see because it’s buried in swollen skin.
What to Do
- Check carefully in good light, using a magnifying glass if needed.
- If you can see the hair and the area isn’t very swollen, you may be able to unwind or carefully cut it.
- Hair removal cream (a depilatory) can sometimes dissolve a hair tourniquet. Don’t use it on broken skin, and don’t use it on threads, which it won’t dissolve.
- Seek medical care if you can’t remove it, if the area is very swollen or discolored, if it involves the genitals, or if you’re unsure the whole strand is gone. Doctors may need special tools.
Prevention
- Check socks, mittens, and sleepers for loose hairs and threads.
- Turn socks inside out before putting them on.
- Wash baby clothes separately or shake them out.
- Tie back long hair when caring for your baby.
Seek medical care promptly if: a finger, toe, or genital area is swollen, discolored, or you can’t remove the strand. This can cause serious damage if not treated.
The Bottom Line
Hair tourniquets are easy to miss and important to catch. Check fingers, toes, and the diaper area when your baby cries inconsolably, and get help if you can’t remove the strand.
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Sources
- Rigby R, Eckman D. Hair tourniquet syndrome. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; updated regularly. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/
- Strahlman RS. Toe tourniquet syndrome in association with maternal hair loss. Pediatrics. 2003;111(3):685-687.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Crying baby: hair tourniquet. HealthyChildren.org. https://www.healthychildren.org
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Always talk with your baby’s health care provider or your own provider about your specific situation. If you think your baby or you may have a medical emergency, call 911.
