Cold panniculitis: Difference between revisions

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*Prolonged exposure to temp >freezing leads to mild necrosis of subcutaneous fat tissue
==Background==
*Seen in children (popsicles) and women involved in equestrian activities
*Also known as Haxthausen disease
*Resolution may result in adipose fibrosis w/ cosmetic defects
*Exposure to cold temperatures → inflammation and mild necrosis of subcutaneous fat tissue
**There is no treatment
*Infants are most susceptible due to higher percentage of saturated fatty acids in newborn fat tissue<ref name="Bolotin">Bolotin D, et al. Cold panniculitis following ice therapy for cardiac arrhythmia. Pediatr Dermatol. 2011 Mar-Apr;28(2):192-4.</ref>
**Usually caused by popsicles, exposure to cold environments (e.g. on the face and hands which are often uncovered), and ice packs (i.e. used to control fever and pain after vaccination)<ref name="Cortes" />
**Also seen frequently in equestrians (esp young women) riding in cold temperatures<ref name="Cortes">Quesada-Cortés A, et al. Cold panniculitis. Dermatol Clin. 2008 Oct;26(4):485-9</ref>
 
==Clinical Features==
*Erythematous, indurated, tender, firm [[rash|plaques or nodules]] on areas exposed to cold<ref name="Cortes" />
*Lesions develop 24-72 hours after exposure and resolve within 2 weeks<ref name="Lipke">Lipke MM, Cutlan JE, Smith AC. Cold panniculitis: delayed onset in an adult. Cutis. 2015 Jan;95(1):21-4.</ref>
*Resolution may result in adipose fibrosis with cosmetic defects (especially if area is not protected from further cold exposure)
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Cold injuries DDX}}
 
==Evaluation==
*Clinical diagnosis
*Reproduction of lesions approximately half a day after application of an ice cube to the volar forearm for 2 minutes may help with diagnosis<ref name="Cortes" /><ref name="Lipke" />
 
==Management==
*Protect affected area from further cold exposure
*Otherwise, no specific treatment (lesions resolve spontaneously)
 
==Disposition==
*Discharge


==See Also==
==See Also==
[[Cold Injuries (Non-Freezing)]]
*[[Cold injuries]]
 
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Environ]]
[[Category:Environmental]]

Latest revision as of 17:20, 28 September 2019

Background

  • Also known as Haxthausen disease
  • Exposure to cold temperatures → inflammation and mild necrosis of subcutaneous fat tissue
  • Infants are most susceptible due to higher percentage of saturated fatty acids in newborn fat tissue[1]
    • Usually caused by popsicles, exposure to cold environments (e.g. on the face and hands which are often uncovered), and ice packs (i.e. used to control fever and pain after vaccination)[2]
    • Also seen frequently in equestrians (esp young women) riding in cold temperatures[2]

Clinical Features

  • Erythematous, indurated, tender, firm plaques or nodules on areas exposed to cold[2]
  • Lesions develop 24-72 hours after exposure and resolve within 2 weeks[3]
  • Resolution may result in adipose fibrosis with cosmetic defects (especially if area is not protected from further cold exposure)

Differential Diagnosis

Cold injuries

Evaluation

  • Clinical diagnosis
  • Reproduction of lesions approximately half a day after application of an ice cube to the volar forearm for 2 minutes may help with diagnosis[2][3]

Management

  • Protect affected area from further cold exposure
  • Otherwise, no specific treatment (lesions resolve spontaneously)

Disposition

  • Discharge

See Also

References

  1. Bolotin D, et al. Cold panniculitis following ice therapy for cardiac arrhythmia. Pediatr Dermatol. 2011 Mar-Apr;28(2):192-4.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Quesada-Cortés A, et al. Cold panniculitis. Dermatol Clin. 2008 Oct;26(4):485-9
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lipke MM, Cutlan JE, Smith AC. Cold panniculitis: delayed onset in an adult. Cutis. 2015 Jan;95(1):21-4.