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 am 22 and just got my tonsils out a week ago on Dec. 19th and the past couple days have been horrendous. I feel now as if there is something hanging in the back of my throat that just keepso bobbing back up when I swallow. Is this possibly a scab? The liquid pain meds have been horrible to me. They make my mouth dry, make me gag, and when I was really swollen it went straight up my nose instead of down my throat 🙁 I don’t know if this is normal… but I keep getting food caught in my pockets and other than sharp coughing, I am unsure how to get it out? I just really want this recovery to speed up and be over with… I am a college student and today (Christmas) was the first day I’ve been able to even get out of bed
I’m 20 years old and just had my surgery on the 20th. I’ve been running a humidifier all the time espically when I sleep it helps my throat not to dry out as quick. Also try setting an alarm to remind you to take your medicine. I wake up every 3-4 hours in the middle of the night to drink water it helps alot. Also before I try eating I ice my neck/throat, the coldness feels good.
I’ve been taking my pain meds religiously (as awful as they are, I’d rather take pills but my doc won’t let me) and spend almost all day and all night with an ice pack on my neck :/
just got mine out the 21st Dec as well I’m 17. I carry around that ice pack like it’s my best friend. Do NOT mess with the scabs. That is what makes you bleed and have a trip to the ER. I couldn’t swallow my pain meds so they prescribed me a Lidocane and it saved me! I wish We knew about the nausea patch prior to having to make the 1st trip to the ER.. Xmas eve.due to severe Nausea and running out of liquid pain meds, due to the pharmacy not having enough on stock when they filled the script : /. . And my surgeon being on vacation — the on call DR. Told their answering service he could not help because I was not his patient ? I can say he is lucky he was not near my Mother…. 2nd trip to the ER on day 6 was due to dehydration, not being able to swallow too swollen too sore. THis is when I was given the Lidocane, and a script for it…. Now on day 6 I don’t know what is happening in there, but if feels as if the scabs are coming off. pain — definatly. Merry ? CHristmas. NEw Years will be Better?
That’s your uvula bobbing around. I thought the same thing. Try using a syringe medicine dropper instead of a cup. A also use the syringe to lightly rinse my pockets after I eat, or put some water back there and let it sit & then spit. You have have to repeat a few times. I used a turkey baster last night – I had a noodle stuck & it wouldn’t budge. No swishing cause I’m afraid I’ll knock a scab off. Try an ice pack around your neck, by your ears, to help with the swelling. Ice water or ice coffee can help with swelling too.
I am about to be 17 soon, and I had just got them out on Friday December 23rd and it totally sucks! Yesterday and the day I got them out I was completely fine basically. The doctors said I recovered so good at the hospital they said in their office they normally have the patients stay for about 2hrs – 2 1/2hrs after surgery I was out of there after about an hour and 1/2 because of my quick recovery response. However I feel like I’m just getting worse I’ve been waking up a lot more in the night. I’m allergic to hydrocodone so they gave me Tylenol with cod. In it, and I feel like I’m waking up because that wears off and it’s not keeping me to bed anymore. Yes it does hurt, but don’t let anyone scare you it’s bearable 🙂
On day 9 here, and I’ve been reading a lot of different boards for help. I’ll be honest, I’ve been really bad at the eating thing until today. I’ve been doing my best to eat, but for me it had been extremely difficult. It seems like everybody is having different things that are working for them, so here are some extra things to try that I got from other boards that seem to be working for me.
Around day 7 (which was the absolute worst for me so far) I switched up my meds a bit. Instead of doing the 15 ML every four hours, I did 5 every hour and a half to two hours. In actuality, it drastically cut down how much I was taking because I could actually take it when I felt like I needed it rather than having to wait, and I noticed I wasn’t taking it as much anymore.
Also, I let go of the ice cold stuff around this time and switched to room temperature and warm (not hot) drinks. The ice was great the first week, now anything cold burns. If the cold is still working, stick with what works. But if you’re noticing the cold burning while the scabs are coming off, try something warm. It’s been soothing for me.
I agree with not messing with the scabs, however, does anyone have any advice on how to dislodge them? I’ve got one hanging by a thread at the bottom of the tonsil bed and it’s hanging down my throat. It feels like I’m choking.
Okay, to address a gross, but necessary topic. If you’re having trouble going to the bathroom because of your meds, try laying on a heating pad after taking some softeners. The softeners alone did nothing for me, but the addition of the heating pad did wonders.
I’m coming onto day 6 now of recovery, I’m 23. It took a long time to get here, back on day 3 I was crying because I knew I had such a long road before any possible relief. The first day was okay painwise, but days 2-4 were THE worst for me. Constant pain, throbbing, and could not swallow. These days I struggled most to sleep, I’d fall asleep for about 15 minutes and wake up, rinse and repeat for hours on end. I also slept sitting upward on two pillows, or slanted up on one side carefully with my mouth facing up so my throat didn’t close. I also cannot really open my mouth as it hurts too much to. Moving my tongue hurts as well, and whenever I try eating this causes my mouth to swell even more. So eating takes me about an hour with breaks inbetween. Day 5 I had the most throbbing pain and it wouldn’t go away with pain meds. It’s all the way into my ears and jaw. Also at this point, cold temperatures are now painful. Only today have I started attempting to eat real food like chicken noodle soup, but it still gets stuck in my throat and hurts for about 15 minutes. I use an ice pack switching back and forth on both sides of my neck almost constantly. My pain meds make me nauseous so I have to use anti nausea pills and be careful with them, and I’m also slightly allergic so I have to take Benadryl. Don’t expect to talk at all, it hurts way too much. I would HIGHLY reccomend sleeping with an air humidifier, since it helps prevent dry throat from sleeping! And keep water near at all times. Also a mild laxative is a must, I haven’t pooped in 5 days. The first few days I compared the pain to my worst case of strep throat last year, but at this point, yes I’m in pain, but I’m also just super irritated at how dragged out this is and how old it’s getting. I’m stuck in this hell thats just on repeat and times moving slowly and ever slower while I suffer forever. Good luck to anyone going through this.
I just got my tonsils out on the 19th so I’m on day 5. I also have the throbbing problem but I’m sick of how sleepy the hydro makes me. It also makes me nauseous. I wanna be able to enjoy Christmas with my family but I am in SO much pain. (I’m 15 years old) Is the pain any better for you now?
I got my tonsils out on the 20th so you’re one day ahead of me. Im 16. The pain is the worst at night for me. Mainly the ear pain is what wakes me up in the middle of the night. I’m missing out on all of my families christmas celebrations and i just wanted you to know that youre not alone and we can get through this! No one around me understands the pain im going through and its so frustrating so it’s nice to come on here and see people who can relate.
It’s much better now, I’m on day 11 and I woke up without throat pain! It’ll start slowly improving after day 6/7! When your scabs start falling off it’ll sting, so watch out for that, and then the ear pain will continue but throat pain just keeps getting better after day 6! Then about day 8 for me was when everything just kinda came together and I felt like myself. Hang in there! Also I discovered gargling salt water is great
I tried responding to this but I think something happened? I feel so much better now, I’d say after day 7 it slowly improved, mainly with throat pain. Ear pain was bad for a While though, and then when the scabs come off it stings a bit. Day 9ish was like a complete turnaround for me and I felt almost normal! Hang in here. Also, start gargling with salt water! And drink warm water with honey!
I’m 28 and just had mine out last friday. Which puts me on day 5 of recovery. Day one I came home and had Ramon noodles with cooked carrots and cream of chicken mixed. Day 2 I was eating bean burritos. Day 3 I ate pizza. Day four was a chicken sandwich from hardees. And tonight I had beef roast with green beans. I cannot eat popcicles or anything sugary it makes my saliva way to thick. Lots of ice water ate every bite… brush my teeth and tongue regularly. I can say it caused my ears to hurt a bit but nothing horrible. This experience for me wasn’t half as bad as what everyone made me think. I have only had 2 pills today for pain. Very excited to seen the difference once I’m all healed.
I’m 19 and had mine out on the 16th so I’m on day 5 as well. The only pain reliever I take is children Motrin and Tylenol every 3 hours alternating. I didn’t have much pain as well, It gets worse when I first wake up and right after I eat. I was expecting to be rested up in bed not moving for weeks but on day 2 I wanted to go shopping! Today I ate Chick Fil A nuggets which I have to admit was kind of irritating to my throat but over all this wasn’t the worst pain I’ve ever experienced! Glad I’m not the only one!