Hello, my name is Simon. I am a 59-year-old man who lives alone in downtown Perth. I am pleased to say that I have never had to spend a night in a hospital. This is because I know how to take care of myself. When I was growing up my grandpa often used to tell me that if you eat well and exercise, you will live a long life. He died aged 95, so he must have known something. However, it was only when I became friends with a doctor, that I discovered all the other things I could do to stay healthy. I decided to start this blog to encourage others to look after their health.
Most tonsillectomy guides give you in-depth coverage of how to prepare for tonsil removal surgery and general tips on how to stay healthy and comfortable during recovery. However, few guides focus on the more gruesome side of this procedure: the scabs. Of course, the scabs left behind by the surgery are a very important part of your recovery, because they give your wounds time to heal without getting infected. If you want to ensure that the process goes smoothly, it's important that you know what to expect from your scabs. Here's a quick guide of all you need to know.
What Do Tonsillectomy Scabs Look Like?
When you scrape a knee or an elbow, the scab that forms will usually be a dark red colour. When you have a tonsillectomy, however, the scabs will be a white or greyish colour. So, if you open your mouth to take a look inside and see two thick, white patches on either side, don't be alarmed—that's what they're supposed to look like!
What Scab Symptoms Are Normal?
If you notice minor bleeding coming from your scabs or small red flecks in your saliva, you may be worried. However, a small amount of blood is nothing to worry about. Minor bleeding is a normal part of the scabs breaking up and readying to fall off. If you find that this is painful, try wrapping an ice pack around your neck to dull the discomfort.
Another symptom that many people worry about is bad breath. Fortunately, a foul smell coming from the scabs is normal, and not usually a sign of infection. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to prevent it, as you won't be able to gargle with mouthwash as you normally would. Keeping your mouth moist and drinking plenty of cool water can help reduce bad breath, as can very gentle gargling with a solution of baking soda in water (1 teaspoon per 250ml).
When Do the Scabs Fall Off?
Like most people, you'll probably be eager to be rid of the tonsillectomy scabs if they're causing bad breath and minor pain. Thankfully, tonsil removal surgery has a fairly quick healing process. Your scabs will usually start to fall out around 5 to 7 days after surgery, with most of the scabbing gone by day 10.
The scabs tend to fall out in small fragments along with some minor pain or bleeding. If they fall out in bigger pieces or even as a whole, you need not be alarmed unless you see a moderate to severe amount of bleeding. In that case, you'll need to get medical attention as soon as possible to prevent infection and surgical complications.
For more information about tonsil removal surgery, contact a medical professional.
Share12 June 2019
