Tonsillectomy Scabs: When Do They Fall Off And What To Expect

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HealthlineSubscribeTonsillectomy Recovery: What Happens When Tonsillectomy Scabs Fall Off?

Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on April 14, 2023

Recovery
Bleeding
Timeline
Tips for recovery
Takeaway

Tonsillectomy scabs form where former tonsil tissues have been removed. During your recovery, your scabs will fall off over the course of 5 to 10 days. They also tend to cause bad breath.

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, most tonsillectomies in children are done to correct breathing issues related to sleep apnea. It’s often combined with the removal of adenoids as well.

About 20% of tonsillectomies in children are done because of repeated infections. In adults, tonsillectomy also has been shown to significantly improve breathing in those with sleep apnea when tonsils are enlarged.

As with any surgery, recovery time and course can vary greatly among individuals. Following your procedure, you should expect scabbing along with some pain and discomfort.

Scabs develop as soon as the area stops bleeding. This process begins after surgery and before you’re sent home from the hospital.

Read on to find out what to expect and what signs may indicate a complication. According to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists, recovery time can range anywhere from one to two weeks.

What to expect after surgery

Tonsillectomies are performed at hospitals as both outpatient and inpatient procedures. Outpatient means that you won’t have to stay overnight unless there are any complications. An overnight hospital (inpatient) stay is often required for children or adults with severe symptoms prior to surgery or with other health problems.

After surgery, you’ll have a sore throat for several days afterward. Earache, neck and jaw pain can also occur. The soreness can get worse before it gradually decreases over 10 days. You’ll initially be tired and may have some leftover grogginess from the anesthesia.

Tonsillectomy scabs form quickly. The scabs become thick white patches at the back of your throat. You should see one on each side on top of the small amounts of tonsil tissue leftover from your surgery.

Other side effects from tonsil removal include:

minor bleeding
ear pain
headache
low-grade fever between 99 and 101°F (37 and 38°C)
mild throat swelling
white patches (scabs) that develop at the back of your throat
bad breath for up to a few weeks

What should you do if your scabs bleed

Minor bleeding of tonsillectomy scabs is normal as they fall off. There should only be a small amount of blood. You’ll know you’re bleeding if you see small red flecks in your saliva. The blood will also cause a metallic taste in your mouth.

A wrapped ice pack placed over your neck, known as an ice collar, can help with pain and minor bleeding. Your doctor should provide you instructions with how much blood is too much. Call your surgeon right away if the blood is bright red. You may need to go to the emergency room, especially if you or your child are vomiting or unable to keep down fluids, or if bleeding is more than minor.

Bleeding can also occur prematurely when your scabs fall off too soon. You can detect this if you start bleeding from your mouth sooner than five days after surgery. Call your doctor or pediatrician right away if this is the case. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding when emergency care may be needed.

When do your scabs fall off?

The scabs from tonsil removal fall off sometime between 5 to 10 days after surgery. The scabs usually start falling out in small pieces.

The scabs can sometimes fall off without warning and are occasionally painful. A small amount of bleeding from your mouth is usually the first sign that your scabs have started to break up.

Caring for yourself or your child after a tonsillectomy

Typically, the first few days following a tonsillectomy are the most uncomfortable. However, people recover from surgery differently. Some individuals may continue to have pain up to 10 days after the procedure. Your throat will be sore, and you may also have a headache or earache. It’s possible these side effects can be combined with neck pain as well.

Over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help reduce pain. Ask your doctor before using any medications for yourself or your child. Talk to your doctor about taking ibuprofen (Advil), as this can increase bleeding in some cases. Your doctor may also prescribe other pain medications. Placing wrapped ice packs on your neck or chewing on ice chips can help alleviate a sore throat.

Fluids are especially important after surgery. Water, sports drinks, or juice are good options. A soft foods diet works best to limit discomfort until the pain improves. Colder foods such as popsicles, ice cream, or sherbet may also be comforting. You should avoid hot, spicy, hard, or crunchy foods, as they can aggravate your sore throat or tear at your scabs. Chewing sugarless gum may help speed recovery after surgery.

Significant rest is imperative for at least the first 48 hours after a tonsillectomy, and all normal activities should be limited. Activity can then increase slowly and gradually. Your child can go to school once they are eating and drinking normally, sleeping through the night comfortably, and no longer requiring medication for pain. Traveling and performing vigorous activities, including sports, should be avoided for up to two weeks or more depending on recovery.

The takeaway

Tonsillectomy scabs are a normal process of having your tonsils removed. As tonsil wounds heal, the scabs will fall off on their own.

During the recovery process, you may be uncomfortable. The most common side effect is a sore throat, which may last up to 10 days after surgery. While recovery from a tonsillectomy can be painful, once fully healed you should see an improvement in your breathing or fewer recurring infections, depending on the reason for your surgery.

Call your doctor or pediatrician if you notice excess bleeding, inability to take in or keep down fluids, worsening sore throat, or high fever.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

CookSP. (2013). Tonsils and tonsillectomies.https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/tonsillectomy.html
MayoClinic Staff. (2018). Tonsillectomy.https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tonsillectomy/about/pac-20395141
Reckley LK, et al. (2018). The effect oftonsillectomy on obstructive sleep apnea: an overview of systematic reviews. DOI:https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S127816
Tonsillectomyand adenoids postop. (n.d.).http://www.entnet.org/content/tonsillectomy-and-adenoids-postop
Tonsillectomyfacts in the US: From ENT doctors. (n.d.).https://www.entnet.org/content/tonsillectomy-facts-us-ent-doctors
Tonsillectomypostop care. (n.d.).https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17562-tonsillectomy-postop-care

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Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M.D. — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on April 14, 2023

Tonsillectomy Scabs: When Do They Fall Off And What To Expect

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What to expect after surgery

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When do your scabs fall off?

Caring for yourself or your child after a tonsillectomy

The takeaway

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