Hi! I have been dealing with an infection for over a year now and I love the idea of e-mailing a photo. Sure wish that had been an option for me, since my surgeon is over 2 hours away!
A few little thoughts from experience with the pesties - since the neurosurgeon knows exactly what the insides of your head looks like - were there internal sutures, titanium present?, mesh?, exactly where was the hardware placed, did anything notable occur during your operation?, and things like that... Yes any doctor can detect an infection - Jan is absolutely right! But, because the source, reasons, and targeted treatment are best tied to your specific situation, your neurosurgeon is likely to be the best possible person to determine what is needed. In my experience, other doctors can monitor, assess progress, and even be referrals following the surgeon's lead, but it was best for me (all 4 times over the past year), to go to the one who knew exactly what was in my head and what he did. Maybe your doctors closer to home will feel differently, but just wanted to throw that out there. I tried and they wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole!!! Too many unknowns for their comfort level.
As for little spikey things poking through - could be itty bitty hairs trying to grow in....I had (and still have these too!), and that's what they were.
I'm anxious to see what you find out!! We can compare notes!! I'll bet you are just fine and you're going to get answers one way or the other soon.
Kathy