What disease does white spots on tonsils warn about? How to treat it?

1. Why do tonsils have white spots?

Tonsils are lymphoid structures located at the back of the throat, considered an "immune barrier" that helps fight bacteria and viruses that enter through the mouth and nose.

The tonsils have a special structure with many grooves, so during the eating process, it is easy to accumulate leftover food. This is the reason why the tonsils are easily infected and produce white pus. In addition, white spots on the tonsils are often seen when patients have pharyngitis, strep throat, mononucleosis or other inflammatory conditions.

White spots on the tonsils are a sign of infection.

White spots appear on or around the tonsils, even spreading throughout the mouth, causing a rather characteristic foul odor, affecting the patient's psychology when communicating. In addition to the white spots, there are also some accompanying symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, cough, fever, stuffy nose and difficulty breathing due to swollen tonsils...

Usually, white spots appearing on the tonsils are more common in people with low resistance, in contact with many subjects at high risk of respiratory infections.

2. What disease does white spots on tonsils warn about?

There are many causes of white spots on tonsils, mainly due to infections and some of the following diseases:

• Acute purulent tonsillitis: Tonsillitis can cause white spots due to pus or inflammatory tissue accumulating in the crevices of the tonsils. This is a common inflammatory condition, often caused by streptococci, staphylococci, anaerobic bacteria or some other viruses. However, patients should not be subjective and should treat early to avoid the disease becoming chronic and affecting their health later;
• Oral thrush: Candida, a common fungus in the mouth, can cause white patches or spots on the surface of the tonsils and other areas of the mouth. Oral thrush often occurs when the immune system is weakened or after prolonged use of antibiotics;
• Tonsil stones: Tonsil stones are hard deposits in the tonsil groove, formed by calcium and food residue, and dead bacteria. Patients can easily observe white or yellow spots appearing on the surface of the tonsils, accompanied by symptoms such as bad breath, sore throat, difficulty swallowing;
• Mononucleosis: This is a rare condition in which white patches or spots appear on the lining of the mouth, including the tonsils. Mononucleosis can be a sign of changes in blood cells, and patients need to be monitored and diagnosed by a doctor.

Tonsils with white spots pose many serious health risks

Tonsils with white spots not only cause discomfort but also have the potential to cause many other complications if not treated promptly. Therefore, patients need to proactively seek medical examination to have effective treatment methods.

3. How to handle when you find white spots on your tonsils

White spots on the tonsils are a warning sign of many diseases, depending on the severity of the disease, there are different treatment methods. When you discover white spots on your tonsils, you should note the following important points:

• Conduct examination and testing: Through the clinical examination process, the doctor will determine the specific condition you are suffering from, thereby providing an appropriate treatment regimen to help the treatment become more effective;
• Removing tonsil stones: If the white spots on the tonsils are stones, they should be removed early using a cotton swab or small toothpick to avoid pain, discomfort, and reduce the risk of stones developing and damaging the tonsils;
• Maintain oral hygiene: White spots on the tonsils are a sign of a throat infection so rinsing your mouth with warm salt water or an antibacterial solution helps reduce bacteria in the mouth and reduce inflammation;

Maintain oral hygiene by rinsing with salt water or an antibacterial solution.

• Drink plenty of water: Keeping your body hydrated will help maintain moisture, clear and soothe inflammation in your throat;
• Avoid stimulants: Limit alcohol, smoking, stimulants and spicy foods that can make tonsillitis worse;
• Breathe fresh air: Negative environmental influences can cause tonsillitis and respiratory diseases, so you need to ensure your living environment is airy and fresh, avoid places with polluted air, stuffy air, strong scents...
• Maintain a healthy exercise regimen: Increasing physical exercise helps increase the body's resistance.

Although not directly life-threatening, when detecting white spots on the tonsils, patients should proactively go for a check-up and follow the doctor's instructions. Proper and timely treatment will help you avoid serious complications that affect your health later.

Visit a doctor promptly when you find white spots on your tonsils.

Currently, the ENT department of MEDLATEC Healthcare System is a trusted address chosen by people for examination and treatment of related diseases. People can feel secure when choosing to check their health here because the unit gathers a team of experienced doctors and modern equipment. Contact MEDLATEC immediately via hotline 1900 56 56 56 to get answers to questions related to the disease or have a need for examination with high-quality medical services.