White spot on tonsil- What does it mean?

Around 5% of adults in the US are likely to be misdiagnosed, accounting for about 17% of adverse patient outcomes. This clearly emphasizes the need for a proper diagnosis of any condition, regardless of its nature. One of the most common conditions that can be a victim of misdiagnosis is the appearance of white spot on tonsil. There are many reasons that can be attributed to the condition, and it is essential to correctly identify it before opting for treatment options. Many individuals are most likely to have hit the panic button and opted for surgical removal, when it may not have been necessary.

Here’s a good look at the possible reasons for the appearance of white spot on tonsil. This will help you to steer clear of wrong treatment options and prevent adverse side effects. It certainly pays to know as much as possible, without trying to take the place of professionals. Awareness helps to take up the right kind of treatment options and prevent unnecessary complexities.

What are the many reasons that result in the appearance of white spot on tonsil?

Typically there are five different reasons that could be attribute to the formation of white spot on tonsil. This includes strep throat, regular tonsillitis, oral thrush, glandular fever and tonsil stones. It is essential to be able to clearly identify the reason behind the formation of the spot, following which suitable treatment can be availed. Before we take a look at the five different reasons, it is time to understand a little more about the tonsils.

Your tonsils are basically two lymph nodes, at the back of your mouth. These nodes have a specific function as a defense mechanism, by preventing your body from contracting an infection. This is achieved by the lymph nodes that are a part of the body’s immune system, by trapping germs, thereby preventing infections that typically affect the throat and lungs.

Symptoms associated with strep throat that can result in a white spot on tonsil

Strep throat is one among the five different reasons for the appearance of white spot on tonsil. Common symptoms include fever, sore throat, throbbing pain in the head, inflamed and red throat, difficulty while swallowing food or water, vigors, a lack of interest in eating properly, and swelling in the neck area. This is indicative of possible Strep Throat infection which is effectively a bacterial infection. The white spot on tonsil can be attributed to this, if the other symptoms match. It is also important to understand that this condition is contagious. Therefore, if you know of someone who has similar symptoms, and if he or she could have passed it on to you, then you can assume that this could be a reason for the infection. As it happens to be contagious, it is important to prevent it from spreading to others, either at your workplace or at home. This condition is resolved through antibiotics and it generally takes around a week for the symptoms to subside.

Symptoms associated with oral thrush that can cause the white spot on tonsil

Another condition that can cause the white spot on tonsil is Oral Thrush, which is effectively a fungal infection. A simple way to understand if the spots on your tonsils are due to oral thrush is to check if you have similar spots on other areas in your mouth. In some instances, there is a likelihood of the spots overlapping each other, which results in the formation of large spots. Commonly known as plaques, these large spots are symptomatic of oral thrush. You can use this as an indicator to understand if the white spot on tonsil is a result of oral thrush. Another important aspect is that this condition is not contagious, which means that you are not likely to have got this from someone. Treatment for this condition is typically not required, as this will self-heal in a week’s time naturally by itself. In the event that you find other symptoms that cause discomfort, you can seek medical intervention.

Symptoms associated with tonsil stones that can cause the white spot on tonsil

This is an extension of tonsillitis, and this condition is caused by the collection of debris at the tonsils. This happens only if you have tonsillitis, when the inflammation causes the trapping of dead cells and food particles at the back of your throat. This hardens over a period of time, resulting in the formation of tonsil stones. This can also be one of the reasons behind the formation of the white spot on tonsil. This will resolve when the tonsillitis resolves, and will have all symptoms associated with tonsillitis. Additionally, you are likely to experience bad breath and cough which will be a little more intense than tonsillitis without the formation of tonsil stones.

Symptoms associated with glandular fever which can cause the white spot on tonsil

Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis is the manifestation of the Epstein-Barr virus. The symptoms that are commonly associated with the condition include fever, pain in the head and muscle ache that is typically similar to that of flu. You are likely to experience swelling around your eyes, in addition to feeling drained of all energy. Pain in the abdomen and a sore throat are other symptomatic conditions associated with glandular fever. This condition also does not require immediate treatment, as it is likely to resolve itself in a fortnight. Only when the symptoms are intense or cause severe discomfort is it necessary to meet a doctor. Therefore if you see a white spot on tonsil and also experience the above symptoms, it is possible that this is the result of glandular fever.

Symptoms associated with tonsillitis that can cause a white spot on tonsil

We have kept the most common cause for the appearance of a white spot on tonsil for the last. Tonsillitis is often the most frequent cause for the appearance of the spot. This is a viral infection that affects the lymph nodes itself, which are intended to prevent the body from getting infected. Simple home remedies are effective in treating the condition, and this will typically resolve in a week’s time. If required, you can approach a doctor for remedies, but, the time taken for healing will not change significantly. If you experience other symptoms that are making it difficult to carry on with your routine, you can seek treatment. Symptoms that are commonly associated with the condition include, headache, fever, cough, inflamed glands. If the condition is severe such as difficulty in opening your mouth, or a very high temperature, it is important to seek medical attention.

The above information is intended to help you narrow down the reasons for the appearance of the white spot on tonsil. This is not to be substituted for medical intervention. If conditions persist, or if the condition intensifies, it is necessary to immediately visit a physician. In most cases, however, it is possible to quickly understand the possible reasons for the infection and take suitable home remedies to handle the condition. Increased awareness about the actual reasons behind the condition will help to prevent panic and decisions that are driven by panic.