Finding white spots on the back of the throat and tonsils can feel a little alarming. Learning about the possible causes and treatments of these white spots can help ease your concerns and set you on the right treatment path. Let’s explore a few common causes and treatments for these white spots.
Strep Throat
Strep throat, an infection caused by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus, is a common cause of white spots on the throat. Healthcare providers see more than 616 million new cases of strep throat each year worldwide. In addition to white spots, people with strep throat may experience throat pain, painful swallowing, red and swollen tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache and tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth.
Strep throat is a highly contagious infection. Your provider will likely recommend the infected individual stay home to prevent the infection from spreading. In addition to taking time to rest, your provider may prescribe antibiotics. As the infection clears up, the white spots should go away.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis, caused by a virus or bacteria, is an infection of the tonsils. In addition to white spots, those with tonsillitis will likely experience a sore throat, fever, red and swollen tonsils, swollen lymph nodes, stomachache or vomiting.
Viral tonsillitis makes up approximately 70% of tonsillitis cases. While viral tonsilitis generally clears up on its own, those with recurrent or chronic tonsilitis may require a tonsillectomy (a surgery used to remove the tonsils). If tonsillitis is bacterial, your provider may prescribe antibiotics.
If your sore throat is bothering you, avoid crunchy foods and grab some frozen dessert from Sweet Monster Ice Cream to help soothe the inflammation.
Tonsil Stones
Tonsil stones look like small white or yellow spots on your tonsils. The stones are made up of calcified materials like minerals, food debris, bacteria or fungi. Though tonsil stones are rarely harmful, they can be discomforting to look at and result in bad breath, difficulty swallowing, earache and a sore throat.
In most cases, you can remove tonsil stones at home. Try gargling warm salt water, coughing vigorously and using a cotton swab or water pick to flush out or remove the stones manually. If you cannot remove the stones at home, or if they frequently reoccur, make an appointment with an ENT specialist for removal.
The best approach when dealing with white spots is to schedule an appointment with an ENT specialist to identify and treat the symptom cause. Contact Ear, Nose & Throat Associates to make an appointment with one of our trusted specialists today.