Hair tourniquet: A hidden danger of post-partum hair loss

GP Kavya Chaganti shares how she discovered why a baby - who was usually calm, according to his parents - was crying persistently for days.

If you’re in the midst of post-partum life, you might be riding the joys of new parenthood alongside the challenges, including the not-so-fun post-partum hair loss.

An important condition to be aware of, especially during this time, is: hair tourniquet.

It’s a relatively rare condition, one I’ve only seen once before, in a four month old baby.

His concerned parents told me he was usually a calm and content baby but had been persistently crying and been very unsettled for the last couple of days.

GP Kavya Chaganti is one of our expert columnists.

After some history taking and a brief examination, I undressed the baby fully for a more thorough examination.

That’s when I saw a very red, swollen toe that looked similar to the picture below:

A hair tourniquet. Picture: Wikipedia

It was a huge relief to his parents to finally have an answer for what was wrong.

In case you’ve never heard of it, a hair tourniquet is where a strand of hair (or sometimes a thread or fine elastic) wraps tightly around a baby’s finger, toe, or even genitalia.

This can reduce blood flow causing swelling, pain, infection and tissue damage.

The baby was usually calm but had been crying persistently for days.

If left untreated, it can ultimately result in a loss of the finger, toe or affected area.

Because it’s often hidden under mittens, socks, or in skin folds, it can easily go unnoticed. One of the only signs may be unexplained, persistent crying – something that many parents might (understandably) attribute to PURPLE crying or many other reasons.

How can you reduce the risk?

•Regularly check your baby’s fingers, toes and genitalia e.g. during nappy changes or bath time.

•Remember to check these areas carefully if your baby has persistent, unexplained crying.

•After washing your baby’s clothes, turn socks and mittens inside out to check for loose threads or stray hairs.

What can you do if you find a hair tourniquet?

•Try to gently remove the hair by untangling it

•Hair removal cream can help dissolve the strand.

•Be mindful of using this only on intact skin and not open wounds

•If you can’t remove the hair promptly, or the area looks damaged or infected, see your GP (if able to get an urgent appointment) or attend your local emergency department.

Kavya Chaganti with her husband Raja, who is a medical oncologist, and their two children.

Dr Kavya Chaganti is a GP-obstetrician, while her husband Dr Raja Chaganti is a medical oncologist. They are also parents who are based in Sydney and have the popular Instagram @twoaussiedoctors.