Houston, Texas – A TikTok video emphasizing the importance of checking for hair tourniquets on infants has gone viral, warning parents of the serious consequences of this often overlooked issue.
Hair tourniquets occur when strands of hair become wrapped tightly around a baby’s fingers, toes, or even genitals, cutting off circulation and potentially leading to amputation. According to the video, these incidents typically happen in infants and can go unnoticed until the baby is crying uncontrollably.
The video advises parents to carefully check their baby’s toes, fingers, and genitals if they are crying inconsolably. The creator of the video shared personal experience by suggesting the practice of running fingers through the baby’s toes before dressing them and checking their fingers before putting them to sleep.
If a toe or finger appears to be affected by a hair tourniquet, the video urges parents to seek medical attention immediately, as the hair is usually tightly wound and nearly impossible to remove without a surgical incision. The viral video aims to raise awareness about this issue and provide practical tips for parents to prevent and address hair tourniquets.