scratched head and grafts fell out

[harryhairtransplant0]

I'm on day 4/5 since my hair transplant and am worried I've completely ruined everything.

This morning whilst I was half asleep I was scratching my head intensely until I was fully awake and realized what I was doing then stopped.

I scratched so much that my head and pillows were covered in broken off scabs everywhere with hairs everywhere, I never counted how many grafts but it looked like there were at least 100 grafts scattered around my pillows attached to the scabs that I scratched off.

It was a mix of all single, double and triple hairs as I could see some grafts were triples attached at the bottom and also some doubles too.

There was no bleeding on my scalp although it was a bit sensitive after.

Given I'm on day 4/5 and I pulled out all these grafts from itching my scalp and based on this information is it likely I pulled out the follicles and ruined the transplant? Or is it possible I only scratched/pulled out the hairs and the follicles remain intact and will grow into new hairs?

 

[Bigmac]

If you pulled them out, there is a chance you have damaged or destroyed them. If only scratching, they are probably hairs that were due to shed. Have you got some pictures of the grafts you can post?
By day 4 your grafts are securely in place.

 

[harryhairtransplant0]

I took a photo of a single and double graft that I scratched off. It really looks like the roots/graft/follicles have come out with them especially for the double graft as the appear roots are very long and have a sort of bulb-like shape at the bottom?

 

[harryhairtransplant0]

If you pulled them out, there is a chance you have damaged or destroyed them. If only scratching, they are probably hairs that were due to shed. Have you got some pictures of the grafts you can post?
By day 4 your grafts are securely in place.

I forgot to quote your message with my reply above, thankyou.

 

[sl]

If no blood then it is unlikely you pulled out the graft. Wear clean washing up gloves at night as a cheap and clean and effective way to cover the nails and limit any issues..but as said at day 4 very unlikely...

 

[harryhairtransplant0]

I also found another picture of a double graft that I accidentally scratched off. The root appears really long?

 

[harryhairtransplant0]

If no blood then it is unlikely you pulled out the graft. Wear clean washing up gloves at night as a cheap and clean and effective way to cover the nails and limit any issues..but as said at day 4 very unlikely...

Thank you good idea

 

[Sammmuel]

I'm on day 4/5 since my hair transplant and am worried I've completely ruined everything.

This morning whilst I was half asleep I was scratching my head intensely until I was fully awake and realized what I was doing then stopped.

I scratched so much that my head and pillows were covered in broken off scabs everywhere with hairs everywhere, I never counted how many grafts but it looked like there were at least 100 grafts scattered around my pillows attached to the scabs that I scratched off.

It was a mix of all single, double and triple hairs as I could see some grafts were triples attached at the bottom and also some doubles too.

There was no bleeding on my scalp although it was a bit sensitive after.

Given I'm on day 4/5 and I pulled out all these grafts from itching my scalp and based on this information is it likely I pulled out the follicles and ruined the transplant? Or is it possible I only scratched/pulled out the hairs and the follicles remain intact and will grow into new hairs?

Hi Harry,
Dont worry.
You just broke your hair. If there was no bleeding, means roots are not out.
Good luck

 

[Bigmac]

Correct, on day 4 it would be very rare to pull the whole graft out but could potentially happen. It`s more likely to happen if you take a knock to the head. What you have posted is the hair shaft with some dead tissue attached. The bulbs will be sitting securely in place.
Good suggestion by Sl to prevent scratching if you`re prone to it.

 

[harryhairtransplant0]

Correct, on day 4 it would be very rare to pull the whole graft out but could potentially happen. It`s more likely to happen if you take a knock to the head. What you have posted is the hair shaft with some dead tissue attached. The bulbs will be sitting securely in place.
Good suggestion by Sl to prevent scratching if you`re prone to it.

Thank you that's reassuring and has helped rest my mind from worrying so much.

Hows your scalp feeling now?

I noticed hairs coming off with the scabs on day 7 which is when I began massaging the scalp in gentle circular motions when in the shower. I assume this is normal for them to come off at this time or is this too early? as most links online say hairs normally begin falling out on week 3-4?

And from your experience is day 7 fine to be massaging the transplanted area, my surgeon said after one week I can start massaging the area but some links online say its best to wait 10 days before this?

Additionally, now my scabs are coming off, I've noticed my scalp itself is quite numb and feels weird to touch, is numbness still expected this far into the recovery period or should this have faded by now?

 

[Baldingman23]

My surgeon recommended that I washed my head on day 7 and I too had some hairs come off with the scabs which they told me were normal and fine. I’m in 3 weeks since my HT and the top of my head is still a little tender and numb so again I think this is normal.

 

[MrPierre]

Oh no! As others have said, hopefully you only scratched the hair shafts off and the roots are intact. Good luck !

 

[Bigmac]

Your exterior scalp should have healed by now and be scab free. As for numbness, the healing processes from person to person is different, some take longer than others. The numbness can linger on for weeks or even months before full sensation returns to your scalp. All you can do is wait.
If you experience pain it`s best to contact your doctor just in case there is an infection.