Case Report: Penile Strangulation Secondary to Hair Tourniquet

August 2020 in “ Frontiers in Pediatrics ”

William F. Rawls, Jeffrey T. White, Ahmad Mohamed, Dennis S. Peppas, Eran Rosenberg

hair tourniquet penile strangulation urethral injury penile necrosis depilatory cream mechanical removal

TLDR Penile strangulation from hair can cause severe harm but can be treated if caught early.

The document described two cases of penile strangulation in young boys caused by maternal hair tourniquets, a rare but serious condition. Both cases involved penile swelling and erythema, which were initially misdiagnosed. Successful treatment involved careful examination and removal of the hair strands in the emergency department. The report emphasized the importance of early recognition and proper management to prevent severe complications such as urethral injury and penile necrosis. It also highlighted the need for educating caregivers on prevention strategies and the necessity for healthcare providers to maintain a high index of suspicion for this condition.

View this study on frontiersin.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

3 / 3 results

research Hair Tourniquet Syndrome of Penis: A Rare Situation in Boys with Serious Complications if Not Recognized

8 citations, August 2018 in “Turkish journal of urology”

Hair wrapped tightly around a boy's penis can cause serious damage if not treated quickly.

research Assessment, Treatment, and Prevention Strategies for Hair-Thread Tourniquet Syndrome in Infants

7 citations, August 2016 in “Nursing for Women's Health”

To prevent and treat Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome in infants, keep a close eye on their limbs, manage maternal hair loss, and educate parents and healthcare providers.

research Hair-Thread Tourniquet Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

28 citations, January 2012 in “Case Reports in Medicine”

Hair-thread Tourniquet Syndrome, where hair or thread tightly wraps around a body part, is not rare and requires early detection to prevent serious damage.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community dunno if it's growing anything but it's making my scalp red

in Technology 182 upvotes 2 years ago

Hair loss and potential treatments, primarily focusing on Finasteride and Minoxidil. Other solutions discussed include PRP, dermarolling, LLP, and scalp tension relief.

community Could low blood flow to the head cause an increased rate of thinning?

in Chat 29 upvotes 3 years ago

The user started using finasteride, minoxidil, and biotin for male pattern baldness (MPB) and is experiencing rapid thinning. They are questioning if low blood flow to the head could be contributing to their hair loss.

community It's very ironic that many guys will gaslight you that your hair loss does not matter but unconsciously in another sentence they will recommend you a giant compensation mechanism like becoming a bodybuilder or a multimillionaire.

in Chat 395 upvotes 3 days ago

Hair loss matters, but focusing on self-improvement like working out, using treatments like minoxidil and finasteride, and building confidence can help. People often suggest extreme solutions like becoming a millionaire or bodybuilder, but practical steps are more beneficial.

community Hair loss recover with topical Fin/Min treatment.

in Is this regrowth? 6 upvotes 5 days ago

A 42-year-old male experienced hair regrowth using a topical treatment of finasteride, ketoconazole, and minoxidil, noticing increased hair density and reduced hair loss over a year. He plans to switch to oral finasteride and continue using topical minoxidil, with a dermatologist's guidance.

community Hair fallout starting again after 1.5 years on finasteride and 6 months on oral minoxidil

in General 99 upvotes 6 days ago

Hair loss is worsening despite using finasteride, oral minoxidil, and rosemary oil, possibly due to stress, hormone changes, and environmental factors. Improvement was noted with a soft water filter, but recent stress may have exacerbated the issue.

community Smp density or 2nd hair transplant?

in Hair Transplants 103 upvotes 1 week ago

The user is considering a second hair transplant or scalp micropigmentation to address thinning in the crown area and hide scars from a previous transplant. They have been using finasteride and minoxidil for three years but are concerned about the appearance of their donor area and the effectiveness of scalp micropigmentation.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research Hair Tourniquet Syndrome: A Missed Diagnosis - Review of Literature

November 2013 in “International Journal of Medical and Health Sciences”

Doctors often miss Hair Tourniquet Syndrome, which can lead to serious damage if not treated quickly.

research Hair-Thread Tourniquet Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

28 citations, January 2012 in “Case Reports in Medicine”

Hair-thread Tourniquet Syndrome, where hair or thread tightly wraps around a body part, is not rare and requires early detection to prevent serious damage.

research Hair Tourniquet Syndrome of Penis: A Rare Situation in Boys with Serious Complications if Not Recognized

8 citations, August 2018 in “Turkish journal of urology”

Hair wrapped tightly around a boy's penis can cause serious damage if not treated quickly.

research Partial Penile Amputation Due to Penile Tourniquet Syndrome in a Child With Primary Nocturnal Enuresis: A Rare Emergency

6 citations, January 2013 in “Urology”

An 8-year-old boy with bed-wetting issues suffered a severe penile injury from tying a thread around his penis, requiring urgent medical treatment to avoid worse outcomes.

research Hair-Thread Tourniquet Syndrome in an Infant With Bony Erosion

43 citations, September 2006 in “Annals of Plastic Surgery”

A hair wrapped tightly around an infant's toe caused severe damage, requiring early removal and possibly surgery to prevent worse outcomes like amputation.