Somewhat gross...thing in tonsil?

Question

Someone I know had this white thing sticking out of their tonsil, and they squeezed it to remove it and stuff, and probably about 3/4 inch came out. It looked somewhat like the stuff that comes out of a pimple, but turned dark and yellowish later. It left a hole, caused bad breath and caused gagging because of the smell. Anyone have any ideas what this may have been?

Answer 1

Tonsils actually have a function, they are a part of the immune system and they act to "attack" bacteria and viruses before they cause problems further down the respiratory tract. When fighting off an infection, such as strep or just a general throat virus, the tonsils will swell as they fill with more blood (with white blood cells-the infection fighters) and can trap the bacteria/viruses. As they kill them off, there can be remains that sit and fester in the tonsils. Also, small bits of food can get caught if the tonsils have been swollen and pitted from constant infections. This trapped food will start to decay (causing that nasty odor) and also will become engulfed by white blood cells trying to get rid of the foreign object. Most people don't or aren't able to pick this stuff out of their tonsils but that's exactly what it is...kinda looks like cottage cheese, right? It in itself isn't anything bad but what it indicates is that the person has ongoing throat infections that have allowed the tonsils to become pitted from constact 'attacks' and they probably just need to have the tonsils out. This is going to be a recurring problem that won't get better with time. Also the tonsils will continue to cause bad breath too, since they will always be trapping stuff now that they are pitted. It seems that tonsillectomies have fallen out of popularity now but the general rule of thumb was that if an adolescent patient has 3 or more cases of strep throat a year OR 6 sore throats with fever/swollen glands/swollen tonsils a year, it's best to get the tonsils removed. At that point, they aren't really functioning properly to act as any help to the immune system and you can live just fine without them.
Good luck!

Answer 2

I just went to the doctor for my throat and the white stuff from the tonsils is pus it creates pus pockets in your tonsils and fills with pus it usually means you have some type of infection in your throat or tonsils depending on how bad it is. I ended up having the same thing but my throat and ears hurt so i went to the doc and i have mono and walking pneumonia and got to spend a week in the hospital...my throat is so swollen i can't stand it...So i would go to the docs if you start getting other symptoms.....

Answer 3

Know the asteroid wellhead tonsil stones them for many years and it's been title not eventually.

Best decision I've ever made! I was shocked by the way of getting out the stones out. It was so easy, but more importantly, painless. I really liked the little trick he had for preventing gag reflex. He have one happy customer here.

Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 4

These gross things are called tonsil liths. They are common in people that have inflamed tonsils because it is more likely in them that food could get stuck in them. This food leads to an immune response which converts the food into what you see.
They aren't dangerous, but one should be extremely careful about poking and squeezing the delicate tonsils.

Answer 5

Well, I'm certainly no doctor, but it sounds like your friend has strep throat. He/She should consult a physician to get antibiotics prescribed, as this condition can get worse, and eventually lead to swelling of the mucus glands. But either way, it could be something else, so they should definitely seek medical attention.

Answer 6

I have never heard of anything quite that strange.

But I can only image trying to pop something on my tonsil. (I would be gagging!!)

I can't imagine it's all that serious, but they may want to get it looked at by a doctor.

Answer 7

I have it to. it is not bad.It is just dead white cells that are fighting off germs. It's called pus. The holes are always there.

Answer 8

An infection.

Answer 9

a reason to see a nose ear and throat specialist or maybe die

Answer 10

google "tonsiliths" I think this is what you are talking about.