Post Op FUE - Scabs!

[Cosmos]

Hi all,

New member here. Just hoping to seek some advice/opinions.

Post Op FUE day 9 here, 2000 grafts; been prescribed antibiotics for 10 days.

However, prior to day 9 I've been having some intense crusting/cracking/scabbing issues and the intense itch was bothering me. My doctor's technician had me start the cup method on day 3 and start cleaning the donor area while it was wet. Was told not to clean the recipient area with fingers until day 10.

The only thing that hit my recipient area was air and room temperature water for the first 5 days (no caps no nothing)....despite the itch coming from the scab. The scabs at first looked like they were little dots, but as my scalp became drier it was sections of scabs separated by 'cracks'. Doctor's clinic informed me it was OK.

Day 6: To relieve itch, I would apply alcohol on my finger tips and back of my hand and start 'tapping' or applying light pressure to scab. Nothing came off except for flakes from crust. Not even hair came off.

Day 7:
Started rubbing independent scabs that were dots (not the cluster of scabs that were lumped into one big section)...doesn't look like I pulled any grafts...and only in small amounts (like 10)



Day 8:
This was the day when I couldn't stand the scabs getting harder and itchier and proceeded to remove them. Some of the scabs were THICK and hard. I basically watered it and rubbed them with finger tips until they started coming off.
Some areas I had to pick but was very very gentle and made sure I did it sideways so I don't 'dig in' to the follicles.

I inspected *every* scab that came off.

- The scabs were individual round sized blood clots overlapped and could be broken up easily.
- Underneath the scab was a piece of white thing that was no deeper than 0.1mm in depth. When it dried up it looks like dandruff or fat.
- I don't know if I pulled any follicles out, but besides one hole, I had no bleeding (blood wasn't oozing out of that hole either, just a small amount that stopped immediately but I assume that was a lost one)
- After scab removal the recipient area was light red - as with most pictures out there
- Hair in scabs, but not as much as I expected




Day 9:
Woke up in morning. Areas that were light red returned to scalp colour.
Lots of donor hair still exists but I know these would go in 1-2 weeks.
Still getting itch but not scratching.
Will get hair cut on day 10 as allowed by clinic

Question:
Did I lose a lot of graft?
Were those small white/yellowish thing beneath the scalp dead skin or the follicles?
How deep are the follicles?
If I did pull a follicle would it bleed for sure? Most people say it's guaranteed to bleed.
Is it OK to apply coconut oil on day 10 and onwards? To kill bacteria and promote growth.

Thanks

[gillenator]

The itching sensation is not abnormal and is a sign of healing taking place.

I would not recommend using alcohol however because it can dry out the skin and also compound the itching.

Congrats on your recent procedure...

[SquidSauce]

Cosmos,

I had a nearly identical experience as you did just a few weeks ago. The picture of what came off at the one week mark looks just about the same. Very curious on how you are coming along. From all I have read up on, the follicles that are going to stay are pretty secure after the 48-72 hour mark, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Seems like you should be roughly 6-7 months out from that?...Hope its going well!

[WHTC Clinic]

Bleeding would be the result of a removed follicle.