Hair toe tourniquet syndrome in a four-year-old boy.

BACKGROUND: Hair toe tourniquet syndrome is a condition in which a hair or thread encircles a digit and results in acute digital ischemia. It usually occurs in children under the age of 1 year. Prompt recognition and surgical removal of the constricting material can save the digit from irreversible tissue necrosis and the loss of digit.

CASE REPORT: We report the first known case of hair toe tourniquet syndrome in a 4-year-old child, who had successful diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

CONCLUSION: We suggest that hair toe tourniquet syndrome should be considered as a cause of acute digital swelling and discoloration in children of all ages.