Huge, lumpy tonsil (mine)

TheBub

I have had an annoying sore throat for a couple of weeks.  I figured it was from my super allergies.  Today it felt like something was stuck in my throat, so I looked inside.  One of my tonsils is super swollen and lumpy.  One of the lumps has what appears to be a white "head".  Tell me Dr. Bumpies, do you think I should go to the doctor or will this clear up on its own?  It's not terribly painful, but very annoying.

aforst

That used to happen to me all the time.  You should be checked for Strep.  Mine was usually tonsillitis. I had them taken out when I was 18.

TheBub

After consulting the internet, I'm thinking maybe tonsilitis.  Such a PITA!

MrsT0514

I used to get strep all the time as kid. The main characteristics of it were sore throat amd lumpy "white spots" on my tonsils.

That sucks. I'd give the doc a call. Hope you feel better soon!

littlestjerry

Tonsilitis hurt so freaking bad for me. It could also be tonsil stones. I get them, and they make my throat hurt, but not very bad.

TheBub

I'm going to go home and poke at the white spot tonight.  If it isn't a tonsil stone, I'll make a doctor appt tomorrow.

JPinkman

AshPal61 said:

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but what happens with a tonsil stone?  if you poke it will it fall off?

I just got shivers.

It is actually very gross.  I have had tonsil stones my whole life since I have cryptic tonsils - I really wish my mom would have kept that appointment when I was a child for the tonsillectomy - but she backed out.

I push mine out - kind of like popping a zit - super TMI and super gross.

TheBub

@JPinkman Couldn't you just have them out now? 

Is it weird that I'm kind of excited about seeing if I can pop it out tonight?  The down side is that I have heard that it smells awful.  Is that true?

JPinkman

@TheBub

Yes - could have them out now - but risk with bleeding and complications goes way up the older you get with a tonsillectomy.  So at this point, risk is not worth the reward.  Also, doesn't really cause me any medical issues at present.  As a child, I had strep a lot - no real issues now other than the tonsil stones - so not sure a doctor would sign off on surgery.   

It does smell awful - but there is some satisfaction in popping them out - yes - totally gross I admit.  Maybe should have kept this for a FFFC.

littlestjerry

They are gross and smell. They're small, @AshPal61, so you wouldn't choke, but I spit them out. I guess I have very cavernous tonsils that should have been removed when I was younger. I heard tonsil removal as an adult is quite a bitch.

JPinkman

AshPal61 said:

JPinkman said:

AshPal61 said:

I'm probably going to regret asking this, but what happens with a tonsil stone?  if you poke it will it fall off?

I just got shivers.

It is actually very gross.  I have had tonsil stones my whole life since I have cryptic tonsils - I really wish my mom would have kept that appointment when I was a child for the tonsillectomy - but she backed out.

I push mine out - kind of like popping a zit - super TMI and super gross.

Eeek!  That's what I was afraid of!

Then what? it drops a stone down your throat?  can't you choke on that?

@AshPal61

I try to spit them out or flick them out.  Also a TMI - I have no gag reflex - which makes this much easier for me to do.

Can't choke on a tonsil stone - they are not that big.  The largest I have ever had was probably no bigger than a dime and the vast majority are much much smaller than that - like think cooked rice.

SpaceGirlSpiff

I get white spots when I have some kind of throat virus, or strep..

I actually had one of each recently.... few months back, I had a sore throat and there were some white spots I got tested for strep... felt crappy but not all that bad...came back that it was just a virus.

Few weeks after that, it started happening again so I assumed it was just a return of the virus... but this time I felt like I was literally hit by a truck and could.not.function.... that one turned out positive for Strep

Moral of the story, it's always best to get it looked at...especially if there's a fever with it.  If it's viral, theres not much they can do but let it run its course....if it's strep, you need antibiotics.

If it's something else like tonsil stones (not personally familiar with that), well it's probably good to still get checked and rule out the other problems..

Either way, good luck!