Hair Toe Tourniquets: A Review of Two Case Studies

The document reviews two case studies of hair toe tourniquets, a condition where a hair strand wraps tightly around a digit, causing serious complications. The first case involved a three-month-old boy who required surgical removal of the tourniquet, while the second case, involving a 14-month-old child, was resolved by unwinding the hair. The review highlights the importance of early detection and treatment, the potential for severe outcomes like ischaemia and tissue necrosis, and the need for healthcare professional awareness. It discusses possible causes, including telogen effluvium and non-accidental injury, and recommends preventive measures such as regular digit inspection and turning clothes inside out when washing. The document concludes with the importance of educating healthcare professionals and parents, particularly mothers, to prevent this condition, and suggests that health visitors and midwives should provide this education to expectant mothers.