Cold panniculitis is when the fat layer under the skin hardens into a lump after being very cold. The skin over the area may get red or purple. It can happen from being out in the cold weather, putting ice directly on the skin, or sucking on a popsicle (called popsicle panniculitis).

Cold panniculitis (pih-NIK-yuh-LITE-iss) is most common in young kids and goes away on its own, usually within a few weeks. It doesn't cause lasting damage.

• Care for your child's skin normally.
• To prevent cold panniculitis:
  • Don't give your child ice cubes or popsicles to suck on.
  • Don't put ice directly on the skin. Put a towel between the ice and the skin (for example, when treating a sprain or other injury).
  • Be sure your child is dressed in warm clothing when going outside in cold weather. If it's extremely cold, keep your child indoors.
  • When outside in the cold, have your child take breaks to come indoors and warm up.

The lump under the skin and any skin color changes don't start to get better within a week.

How does cold panniculitis happen? There's a layer under the skin made up of different types of fats. Some, called saturated fats, may get hard after being in contact with something cold. After getting hard, the tissue may become inflamed (swollen and irritated), and the skin may turn red or purple. It also might feel lumpy. It can take a few hours to a few days for symptoms to show up after the skin touched something cold.

Why do young kids get cold panniculitis? Young kids are more likely to get cold panniculitis because they have more saturated fats in their fatty tissue layer than adults do.