They act as part of the body's immune system, filtering out
harmful microorganisms, including viruses and bacteria, that enters through the
nose and mouth.
Like all tissues in the body,
they can become diseased by infections or various medical conditions, and when
inflamed, a condition called tonsillitis occurs.
During this inflammation, pockets
of tissue, or crypts, may form when food debris and other particles are trapped.
These particles contain bacteria
and dead cells that will eventually produce hard, white, foul-smelling stones
or formations, called tonsilloliths or tonsil stones.
White patches on the tonsils can
be a symptom of many diseases, but if they do not become painful or irritated,
there is little cause for concern.
As long as the white patches on
the tonsils are not painful because they can be, there are things you can do on
your own to try to get rid of them.
How to Deal with White Spot on
The Tonsils?
If you smoke, white lesions in
the throat can be a symptom of leukoplakia, developing into cancer. It would
help if you examined these spots immediately.
Brush your tongue. A common cause
of white spots on the tonsils or back of the throat is crypts, formed when food
debris accumulates in the pharynx folds.
Although crypts are usually not
painful, they can cause bad breath. If this is the case, brushing your tongue
every time you brush your teeth can improve the condition.
Gargle with mouthwash. Combining
regular use of mouthwash with daily tongue brushing can prevent tonsil crypts
from forming.
Lichen Planus and Leukoplakia
Another possible cause of white
stones is the condition called lichen planus, an autoimmune and inflammatory
reaction that can affect the mucous membranes, skin, hair, and nails.
In the mouth, vagina, and other
areas covered by mucous membrane, lichen planus forms white or transparent
patches, sometimes with painful sores.
In this case, a lidocaine-based
mouthwash will numb your throat and make eating more comfortable if lichen
planus lesions are painful.
Change your habits. Smoking or
chewing tobacco can cause leukoplakia, which is usually benign but can
potentially turn into cancer.
Leukoplakia presents with white
lesions in the throat, so see a doctor if your lesions persist for more than
ten days.
If it is leukoplakia, stop
smoking to reduce the risk of cancer.
White patches are also a symptom
of fungal infections caused by chewing straw or leaves you find on the ground,
another habit you should break.
Also, chemical lesions can cause
similar lesions and be sustained by chewing rather than swallowing. Some
medications that may help are acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Strep Throat
Take antibiotics. White patches
in the throat can also be a visible sign of strep throat, which also has
difficulty swallowing, fever, swollen lymph nodes in the neck and tonsils.
Most strep throat is treated with
a 10-day course of antibiotics combined with rest.
If left untreated or incompletely
treated, other conditions such as rheumatic fever, scarlet fever, blood
infections, and kidney disease may arise.
If you have a persistent sore throat and notice white patches on your tonsils, see a doctor immediately.
A
simple dose of antibiotics will clear up most cases of strep throat, but if you
suffer from it frequently, your doctor may recommend that your tonsils be
removed altogether.
Advice
Always consult a doctor if the white patches in your throat
become painful or last more than ten days.
Warning
This article should not be considered the equivalent of a
professional medical consultation. Consult your physician if you have any
questions about this or any other health-related issue.
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