Sickle Cell Disease and Dactylitis

These instructions are for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) patients with sickle cell disease to learn more about dactylitis, which is a pain crisis that affects the hands and feet.

Important information:

Dactylitis, also known as "hand foot syndrome," can be a problem for children with sickle cell disease. The sickle-shaped cells of sickle cell disease can cause a blockage of the tiny vessels in the bones of the hands and feet. It is most common in children between 6 months and 3 years of age.

Symptoms of dactylitis include:

• Swelling and pain of the hands and feet

• It may affect both hands and feet or just one at a time

Treatment for dactylitis includes:

• Increased fluids

• Medicine for pain

• Hospitalization, in some cases, for IV fluids and stronger pain medicine

Patient instructions for managing dactylitis:

• Give plenty of fluids.

• Apply warm compresses.

• Before giving medicine for pain, take your child's temperature to make sure they do not have a fever. Call your hematology team immediately if your child has a fever.

• To treat pain, give acetaminophen (Tylenol®) for patients 6 months of age and younger. Give ibuprofen (Motrin®) for patients 6 months of age and older.

• Please call for the first episode or if your child has severe pain that does not improve with medicine.

Contact your CHOP hematology team with questions or concerns.

Division of Hematology

215-590-3535

Sickle Cell Center

For non-urgent issues, send your team a message in the MyCHOP portal.

Reviewed on June 23, 2023, by Alexandra Kaspin, RN, MSN