hair transplant infection

Hair Transplant Infection Symptoms & Causes

 

Hair transplants are one of the most safe and highly successful operations of all time. They have little to no risk and the operations are rewarding for patients. Though it may be a small chance there is the risk of hair transplant infections. Even though it is not common, a small number of patients can suffer from an infected hair transplant.

 

There are a number of causes and symptoms for hair transplant infections. In this article we will look at what may be at the root of the problem and what are things patients and clinics can do that will eliminate the risk of an infection. Continue reading to find out about hair transplant infection symptoms & causes.

How common is hair transplant infection?

 

The risk of failure or infection for a hair transplant is significantly low. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) the percentage of patients that are affected by a hair transplant infection are less than 1%. This makes hair transplant infection relatively rare, for a prospective patient it can attest to the fact that hair transplant operations are safe and highly-likely to be risk free. That being said, in order for a hair transplant to be infection free the patient needs to take care of themselves post-op and get their transplant in a respectable and reputable hair clinic. 

 

Before the surgery make sure you are well-versed in the symptoms of a possible hair transplant infection and observe yourself. An early diagnosis of infection is significant in trying to eliminate the outcomes and preserve the patient’s overall health. Read the following segment carefully to inform yourself of possible symptoms of hair transplant infection and learn what the next step looks like for a healthy recovery.

 

What are the symptoms of hair transplant infection?

 

An infection occurs when microbes enter a wound that is open. Depending on the method of operation a hair transplant operation usually includes a small incision made directly to the site of operation to harvest and then transplant hair grafts. As the scalp is made of a network of blood vessels these incisions may become potential open wounds where microbes enter. Thus your immune system, particularly the pathogens can become targets. Usually an infection can be diagnosed if the patient shows acute signs of vomiting, dizziness, nausea or fever. If the patient is experiencing these symptoms they should refer to a doctor immediately.

 

Here is a list of symptoms that could be further indicators that your hair transplant is infected. 

Extreme itchiness after hair transplant

Extreme Itchiness

Note that most patients experience some itching as scabs are being formed on their scalp post-op. This is completely normal, you should not touch the area or worse scratch it which may lead to infection or inflammation.

Usually the hair clinic will recommend some itching cream to ease the discomfort of the patient. However if you are experiencing extreme itchiness it is a sign that your hair transplant may already be infected. 

Extreme Swelling after hair transplant

Extreme Swelling

Some swelling right after the operation is to be expected. However if the swelling is not going down the next day but increasing even more and causing you discomfort then it may be a sign that your transplant is infected.

The swelling should be easing as time goes on, not increase and cause you further discomfort. Observe where it aches and oozes and consult your doctor immediately if the pain significantly increases.

redness after hair transplant

Redness or discoloring in the area of operation

 

After the operation the patient will observe that the area of transplant is reddish and some dried blood will be present. This is to be expected as the hair is transplanted there via incisions. As the days go by however the redness will disappear pretty quickly and will leave in its place scabs signifying that the area is healing.

 

If the patient sees blood or the redness is leading to purplish hue they should contact their doctor immediately.

leaking puss after hair transplant

Abscess or leaking puss

If the scalp looks swollen with abscess forming that is a sure sign that the skin is inflamed and the transplant is infected. The patient should not touch the inflamed area as it will only aggravate it more.

If the puss is leaking gently wipe it with a gauze but do not wipe the area with any creams or alcohol. This may not only risk your skin’s health but also the transplant as a whole.

hair transplant infection causes

What are the causes of hair transplant infection?

Ultimately there are a few underlying causes for a hair transplant infection. As with any operation the facility and the doctor are determining factors that influence the success of the operation. Here are 3 major causes of why hair transplants get infected:

Unsanitary Hair Clinic Facilities

Infections happen due to poor hygiene. If the hair clinic facility where you got your operation is not clean enough and it lacks proper sanitation protocols for the operation room and devices then the patient is at a great risk of infection. Cross-contamination can happen when the tools and facilities are not cleaned well. The equipment, the operation room and the tools used to harvest and transplant the hair grafts need to be sanitized according to the safety guidelines accepted both locally and internationally.

Poor Post-op Care

Even though the after care for a hair transplant patient is not meticulous, there are some very important basic steps that the patient must be mindful of. Making sure not to put pressure on the sensitive area, avoiding sunlight and resting for the first few days post-op are some of these steps. However the most important thing the patient can do is making sure that they dont touch or scratch the transplanted area. If the patient constantly touches the area of operation they may not only cause inflammation in the area but also damage the newly transplanted hair follicles. 

Scabs forming crusts and inadequate washing of the hair

Your scalp needs to form scabs: as part of its healing process the skin forms scabs in the area of operation. This shows that brand new skin tissue is forming in the area and the new hairs are settling in well. However it is important for these scabs to fall when their time comes, as the new hair needs to grow too. Just like any skin tissue these scabs will fall of their own accord however it is important to wash them away too.

This doesn’t mean you scrub them harshly, not at all, by following the directions of the hair clinic you will be able to wash them away gently and with medical grade shampoo and mild temperature water. If these scabs don’t fall they become crust and latch to the which hinders the regeneration of the tissue there.

How to prevent infection after hair transplant?

 

There are a few simple things the patient can be mindful of in order to prevent infection after a hair transplant. Choosing a trustworthy hair clinic and medical team is definitely very important. Some patients even go so far as visiting the facilities which is a great idea in order to ascertain the quality of the services offered. Another thing the patient can do is making sure that they are informed and aware of what to expect from the operation in order to fully prepare themselves for the potential outcomes of it. This way they will be ready to act if need be which can make or break the success of an operation.

 

Observing the area for changes in redness or swelling can help an early diagnosis and thus allow the patient to take early action. The patient should follow the list of instructions given to them by the clinic for their after care post-op. This ensures that the patient would not itch or scratch the area because that would risk inflammation. If the patient experiences discomfort they can always contact their hair clinic from some ibuprofen or anti-itch cream that is vetted by their doctor and will not risk the integrity of the operation.

 

 

What you need to do to avoid hair transplant infection

 

In order to avoid hair transplant infection there are a list of do’s and don’ts the patient should know:

  • DO choose a trustworthy and sanitary hair clinic.
  • DO consult the clinic in order to check the facilities for your own standards.
  • DO observe your new hairline post-op. If you see drastic changes DO contact your hair clinic immediately.
  • DO research and inform yourself of the procedures of the operation. This will allow you to recognize if something doesn’t go the way it should.
  • DO wash your hair according to the instructions given to you by your hair clinic. Subsequently you may even ask if your clinic takes care of the first-wash process post-op as part of their services. Washes are important for the successful compilation of the hair transplant procedure.
  • DON’T touch the area of operation to itch or scratch. This will increase the risk of inflammation and thus cause an infection.
  • DON’T use any medication or apply any cream without vetting it by your hair clinic first. Not only may you hinder the rejuvenation of the scalp but also you will risk the integrity of the whole operation.
  • DON’T panic, panicking can only make matters worse. Being informed and taking action at the right time is what matters. 

How to heal an infected hair transplant follicle?

 

The first step to heal an infected hair transplant follicle is most surely contacting the hair clinic. You may go in for a check up or just video-call depending on the severity of the situation. Some salves or creams may be recommended to the patient if they are experiencing itching or maybe even icing the area if the swelling is not going down. Your doctor may prescribe some antibiotics in order to make sure that the infection is under control. You must not consume any other medicine that is not vetted by your doctor so as to not hinder your own well-being and the success of the operation. Do not use any cosmetic product, shampoo or medicinal creams on the operated surface which have not been approved by your doctor.

 

If the area of operation has abscesses your doctor might drain them. The patient should not under any circumstances touch these abscesses themselves. The doctor will drain them out in the hopes of avoiding it from expanding all over the scalp. This patient should not attempt to drain abscesses themselves as it risks further inflammation in the area.

FAQs about Hair Transplant Infection

Amongst hair transplants the FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) method is unlikely to get infected. This is in comparison to the FUT (Follicular Unit Transplant) which operates on incisions based on strips of hair follicles which means the incisions are bigger. Whereas FUE operates on miniscule incisions which are not deep and usually don’t run the risk of wound infections. To get more information about how the FUE hair transplant works check out our article.

The risk of hair transplant infections are significantly low. Less than 1% of hair transplants run the risk of hair infections. 

The best and bulletproof way to heal a hair transplant hair infection is to follow the instructions made by your hair clinic. Do not try home-remedies or DIY solutions on your own as you can make things worse for your hair and scalp health. By your doctor’s referral you may take some antibiotics or even apply some medical grade cream to the area.

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