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’m 39 years old and had my tonsils removed on 11/14. I read so many horror stories prior to surgery and I was scared sh&$less going in to it. I’m glad I read such horrendous stories, as it prepared me for the worst. But thankfully I have had a very easy recovery so far. This is now day 8, and I am constantly eating ice and have the humidifier on full blast all day. I take my oxycodon about every 6 hours and children’s Tylenol in between if needed. I have tried eating several things, but not always easy to get down. Last night was by far the best, as I was able to eat a few bites of super scrambled eggs. Tasted like the best eggs or thing I’ve ever eaten!!! Maybe I’m weird or have a high pain tolerance, but this has not been what I expected at all. I’m able to sleep at night and get up once to take a dose of medicine. My throat sometimes feels like it’s in fire, but I just bear with it until pain meds kick in.
I’m hoping the pain will be minimal once the scabs start to fall off — which hasn’t happened yet .
I’m just really sad that I won’t have Thanksgiving food this year :(. Maybe I can blend the Turkey, potatoes, green beans, stuffing and pie into one big thanksgiving drink! Haha
Hope everyone has a speedy recovery! Just remember this is only temporary!
Had mine out on 11/14/17. Ended up in ER 2 nights ago because I couldn’t tolerate pain anymore. ER was surprised that ENT only gave me tylenol with codeine. They prescribed some children’s motrin (since I can’t swallow pills) and gave me a shot, which I now call the miracle shot. I ate 2 bowls of chicken soup and jello, before effects ran out. Then 8 hours later, back to hell. My throat and ears burn so bad. It’s this stinging, knife cutting pain. Even chewing on ice makes it burn. I don’t know how long more till this pain goes away. Positive note: I’ve lost 10 lbs. Negative: Thanksgiving is in 3 days!!! No turkey this year.
I had mine out on the 16th and have been religiously taking Oxycodone (1omg every 4 hours) – it really cuts the pain. The pills are tiny so they might be easier for you to take or to crush and swallow in a drink. No turkey for me either!
You and me are in the same boat, I got mine out on the same day. The pain isn’t too bad but they prescribed me oxycodone so that helps plus I take children’s ibuprofen in between, I tried eating mini corn dogs yesterday but it hurt way too much, so I’m just gonna stick to the smoothies till I feel better but I’ve lost a significant amount of weight but I’m also going to the gym as well so hopefully I can sleep better and feel better all at the same time.
I 100% feel for you.. I’m in UK so little different over here had mine out 21st November 2017 and today is exactly what u have just said is me my hospital never gave me pills or medicine to go home with I’ve been taken ibrophen (unsure if across sea’s no what they are) but today I haven’t been able to drink without getting this massive sensation of what feels like someone’s running hot knives down my throat and then stabbing my eardrums.. I haven’t eaten more then a mouthful in 3 days. . I’m currently laid in a bath as last resort to calm the pain before I ring an ambulance because I seriously can not cope with the pain.. or even not having a drink or taking my meds ??
Im 16 I got my tonsils & adenoids removed on the Nov.9,2017 a day after my birthday. This has been the worse uncomfortable surgery ever?❗. Day 6 I had 4 hours of sleep, WORSE DAY I cried so day 7 I demanded to go to hospital lol I had to i thought something was wrong. I was dehydrated from all the spitting & not drinking the night before the insisted on an IV they tried 3 times digging in my skin till the point I gave up. I guess you can say 3 shots for nothing?, I’m currently on steroids so I’m doing okay I’ll come back with an update!
My scab came while I was eating & the back of my throat stung from the food so I tried white bread which did the trick hopefully I’ll get sleep
(Tips: don’t miss taking the medicine, start hydrated, don’t gargle..chew.. or drink out a straw, also try not to cry even though in my opinion its impossible, BEWARE OF 6TH OR 7TH DAY) good luck. Lastly the scab falling off is the last stag but stay on soft foods for 3 days for complete healing then you’ll be fine.
I’m 49 and had my tonsils removed on Nov 3rd in the morning. This is after 41 years of bad colds, ear infections, and sinus infections, a semi successful sinuplasty, and a long discussion with an ENT doctor. I slept in my recliner until day 8. I also bought an ice pack wrap and slept with a gel ice pack on my neck until I moved back to the bed on Day 8. Days 6-9 were pretty much pain unending. I was so tired when I went to the doctor’s office I wanted to cry. This is the end of day 10 and I’m up at 1:30 in the morning after waking up to a horribly dry mouth. I’m pretty sure one of my scabs fell off (Day 10). Yay! But now that side of my throat burns a bit even after an icy pop. I’ve been drinking lots of water and had a humidifier in the room with me. The only thing that really worked for the pain was the adult liquid acetaminophen I bought on a whim in CVS. I’m thinking it is because it was also coating my throat with it. The reason I say this is I ran out yesterday and the pills are not making a difference nor did the prescription tylenol with codeine tablets I tried earlier in the week. But if you use liquid tylenol make sure to quickly follow with water or you will start coughing. I’ve eaten so many icy pops I can’t begin to tell you how much I never want to see one again. If you can, chew gum; it gets your mouth working and the saliva flowing. I liked the bubble mint since the mint sort of made my throat feel cool. Other foods that have been good besides soup is mashed potatoes and oatmeal. I highly recommend not putting meat or rice in your soup. And make sure you do not take any ibuprofin or asprin. I can’t believe someone posted on another blog they had been taking both acetaminophen and ibuprofen; then they were surprised when they wound up back in the hospital from the bleeding…twice. Everything I read says at least three weeks for any aspirin and aspirin-like products but ask your doctor about any medication use. The ginger tea is totally a godsend for nausea. Also don’t drink citrus products…it will burn even if it is a little bit…Juicy juice fruit punch has tangerine juice. I also found apple juice mixed with flat ginger ale was soothing to the mouth. The doctor also recommended ginger beer which isn’t actually carbonated but I couldn’t find it locally.
Hi! 34 years old and just had my tonsils out on Nov. 6th. So happy reading everyone’s stories here. I thought there was something wrong with me! The pain from this has been horrendous! I knew it was going to hurt but sometimes even breathing too fast makes my throat feel like I am trying to swallow shards of glass. Plus my tongue hurts like crazy. I did just discover that parts of my tongue were cauterized and I am assuming that is the cause of the pain. Anyways just rambling here but sure did feel good to know I am not alone! Get well soon all!
Got mine out on the 7th. I’m on day 6 and the sharp pains are agonizing. Feels like my tongue is a razor blade. Ughh I want it to be over!
I just had my tonsils taken out on the 8th I’m in so much pain it’s day 6 for me somebody please help
I’m with you. This is temporary. Stay hydrated. Sleep when you can in a recliner. Run a humidifier. Stay in touch.