UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Pediatrics

Title: Popsicle Panniculitis

Keywords: popsicle panniculitis, cold panniculitis, child abuse (PubMed Search)

Posted: 10/3/2008 by Don Van Wie, DO (Updated: 3/29/2024)
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Popsicle or cold panniculitis is an inflammation of the subcutaneous fat after prolonged exposure to cold.  It is thought to occur more often in infants and young children because they have a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids than older children and adults.  Pediatric patients may present to you to be evaluated/ruled out for abuse by social workers, schools, or police and if you have the correct history it is easy to dispo quickly.

Clinical Features of Popsicle Panniculitis

  • Absence of systemic signs
  • Minimal pain, with or without
  • Skin is red to purplish, indurated, may have discrete nodules or plaques
  • perioral location for popsicles, but may occur at any other area of skin exposure
  • resolves in 2-3 weeks without scarring
  • hyperpigmentation may persist
  • arises within hours to to 1-2 days after exposure to a cold object

References

Shah B. Lucchesi M. Atlas of Pediatric Emergency Medicine.  McGraw-Hill Companies. 2006.