Tonsillectomy Scabs- How and when do they fall off?
Regardless of the tonsillectomy method used, some sort of scab is going to form over the the area from which your tonsils have been cut, coblated, and/or cauterized.
It’s normal. It is normal. People often become obsessed with the appearance of the tonsil beds as they recover from tonsillectomy. Almost like a recently lost tooth, it can be hard to resist the temptation to explore the new landscape. This too is normal. I strongly advise against molesting the area with foreign objects. Those scabs will fall off on their own. Touching, poking, or scraping on them increases the risk of hemorrhage and you don’t want that.
Many Otoraryngologists, or ear, nose and throat, (ENT) specialists recommend eating a somewhat rough diet, (think dry toast), to keep the affected area clear of excessive tonsillectomy scab build-up. This advice is most often given in the United Kingdom and Australia. Most ENT’s in the United States advise a soft diet.
Which ever route you take, there will likely be formation of tissue that covers the tonsil beds. I recommend following the advice I give in other pages of this site; keep the throat moist, avoid sharp foods, stay hydrated, take pain medications on schedule, sleep upright if possible, and leave those tonsillectomy scabs alone. They will normally begin to slough of at about day seven or eight of your recovery.
What Happens When Tonsillectomy Scabs Fall Off
You may feel a sharp pain occasionally as the tonsillectomy scabs fall off. This is common. This is normal. There is a slight increase in risk of bleeding while tonsillectomy scabs fall off. If you do have some bleeding, try gargling with ice cold water. This will usually stop the bleeding. If this doesn’t work, and bleeding becomes profuse, call 911 or get to a hospital immediately. Don’t panic. In there relatively rare cases, health care professionals have great success at stopping the bleed.
Daily Photos of Throat After Tonsillectomy. Caution: Scabs
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I had my T&A and also tubes in my ears done on May 16th im on day 15 and let me tell to this has been the worst thing i have ever had done..
Day 1 and 2 i was admitted into the hospital for observation and pain management durning the initial 7 days cold fluids felt great, my life saver was light blue Gatorade with crushed ice, about the only thing also orange sherbert push pops life savers! I was able to tolerate. Until day 8 i was given oxycodine for pain which helped a little, no matter how much paid medicine you take there is always pain, even when in the hospital they were giving me IV diladid and roatating every 2-3 hrs with a oxycodine pill and i still was in unbearable pain. Durning the course of recovery i have found that frosted flakes that have sat and got very soft are easy to eat with cold milk, yawning is the worst it feels like i am rippimg the middle of my throat out everytime i yawn. Between day 5,6, and 7 i started feeling pain in my jaw and on each side of my mouth in the crease of my lips but doctor said that was from surgery from the tools they use to keep the mouth open.
Day 3 Pain unable to eat (cold drinks help)
Day 4 pain unable to eat (cold helps)
Day 5 pain unable to eat (cold helps)
Day 6 worst pain of my life
Day 7 worst than day 6
Day 8 cold drinks started hurting switched to luke warm tea which felt amazing.
Day 9 tried eating some solid food made to pieces of toast was able to eat half of one
Day 10 starting to feel normal ate a normal meal of chili and crackers.
Day 11 follow up apt with the doctor says everything looks great still wont allow me to go back to work.
Day 12 i go back to work against the doctors suggestion
Day 13 did ok pain but manageable
Day 14 same as 13
Present day 15 may 31st i woke up this mornimg in several pain on the right tonsil and ear side about as worse pain as day 6 i have called off work and contacted my ENT but he is in surgery all day, i am trying to manage the pain until he is available as i do not want to go to the ER because they are not specialist in this field. I am trying to sleep but that pain is so bad bearly able to drink anything or eat.
I had my tonsils out about 8 days ago. The scabs are falling off but right by my uvula i have a lesion or cut. But its not bleeding unless i touch something to it. Not sure if i should go to the ER or just let it be.
I had my tonsils removed on 25th of May and the first 2 days was horrible, couldn’t eat barley drink anything. I am now on day 3 and it feels like somethings in my throat and gagging me, any suggestions on making that go away? And pain killers r keeping me up not putting me to sleep, so I’m tired and can not eat to much. I’m just now able to eat mashed potatoes can someone please tell me what’s or when’s these scabs coming off? And how is gonna feel?
And not to mention my body turned red andbim getting hot flashes and face swollen
Try taking some liquid Tylenol with your paid meds, im on day 15 and starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My best advice is stay hydrated the only thing that truly helps
*was starting to see the light
I got mine out on the 25th as well. I drink as much water as I can and raw aloe Vera juice. I was able to eat the next day. I love sour dough bread. Pickles are yummy. Sometimes food taste gross. I’ve had tender beef ribs on two days. I don’t eat a lot overall but as much as possible because I read that helps recovery. I constantly hawk up bits of the scab. Gross. The gag sometimes turns to saliva throw up (I hate the way they feel behind my tongue) Today a bigger chunk came off. I saw it hanging after chocking up. It was like moist thick snake skin. I’m on day 7. I can’t wait for these things to come out. Gross. A lot of gagging.
Did this ever go away for you?? I’m constantly gagging on my right side after 3 weeks
28 yrs, female, on Day 5. Today has probably been the worst thus far. I started eating right after surgery. (Had sloppy joes for dinner) I’ve actually gained weight since the surgery. I guess I have a fairly high pain tolerance. It is still the worst pain I’ve ever felt. (I’ve had strep and mono at the same time, delivered 2 children with no drugs, had wisdom teeth out.) I am downing water like a champ. Today, it actually burns a lot to swallow. Milkshakes are my friend. I stopped taking the hydrocodone on morning of day 3 because they made me feel so out of it. I’ve been alternating ibuprofen and tylenol every 4-5 hours and that seems to work just as well without making me loopy. Was back at work day 3. Like I said, i’m eating pretty normal foods, it’s just taking 3 times longer to eat than before, as I’m chewing very thoroughly. I have an infant, so waking up in the middle of the night a lot anyway and drinking water and taking more meds if I need to. I have been having horrible ear pain and my jaw is really sore. I honestly could deal with the pain, I’m just tired of my mouth tasting disgusting and nothing tasting like it’s supposed to. No bleeding. Not really sure if my scabs have started to come off. Glad there is a light at the end of the tunnel though. Good luck everyone!
Ok, on day 11 now. I can honestly say that days 6 & 7 tied for the absolute worst days. Day 8 I woke up and was immensely better. It’s still painful to swallow and if I eat too much and abuse my throat, I don’t feel very good. Overall pain in my ears and jaw has mellowed as well. Whew.
Hey 19 year old male here. Had my tonsils out 17th May so exactly a week ago. pain doesn’t seem to be getting any better but it is bareable. Taking ibuprofen every 4 hours. I am very much into my fitness so i was scared to loose weight after this operation due to not being able to eat and work out! However after 4 days I was able to return to my normal diet despite the pain being hurrendous (it took me 45 mins to eat some chicken and rice). I’m now back at the gym too just being careful on what I lift. I’m hoping one morning I wake up and my throat is back to normal but most u guys are saying at least a few weeks. My advice to anyone reading this is just try and eat what you’d normally eat as you will feel better for it in the long run. I find a nice cup of tea is really soothing also. But avoid chocolate as this made my throat bleed!