Today you will learn how to get rid of white spots on tonsils using home remedies.
White spots on tonsils are stone looking substances or patches that develop around the tonsils. You can locate the tonsils by opening your mouth wide and looking into the mirror.
The tonsil is usually located on the back end of your mouth around the throat. Having white spots on the tonsils may mean several things.
You may be having tonsillitis, oral infection or even an STD. Sometimes these spots can also spread to your tongue, lower throat and inside the cheeks.
Advertisement
So What Causes the White Spots on the Tonsils?
The best thing about this condition is that there are various natural ways that can help you to remove them. However, similar to other conditions it is always advisable to consult your doctor to get the correct diagnosis to help eradicate them effectively.
These spots are easily visible when you have a throat infection, and your tonsils become red and swollen. When your tonsils are swollen there, dots are filled with pus making you feel pain and irritation while chewing and swallowing food.
However, you should not be too worried as there are many things you can do to treat the underlying causes and avoid the removal of the tonsils surgically.
In our guide, we have looked at the possible causes of the condition, the treatment options available, and other crucial information that assists you in treating the condition.
White Spots on Tonsils Symptoms?
As mentioned earlier the white discoloration may not only appear on the tonsils only. It can also appear on the throat, cheeks, and other parts of your mouth. This discoloration may also look like streaks in your mouth’s back or blotches on the tonsils. Besides these stops, you may feel an urge to scratch your throat as well as irritation that makes you feel difficulty in swallowing.
Some of the other symptoms that accompany this condition include:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- A sore throat
- Painful swallowing
- A Fever
- Stuffy nose
- Throat discomfort
- Headaches
- Swelling of the lymph nodes
- Body aches and pains
- Bad breath
In extreme cases, you may also have difficulty when breathing. However, this happens only when your tonsils are swollen extremely that they have blocked your airways partly.
White Spots on Tonsils Causes?
The main cause of the white spots on the tonsil occurs because of infections in the throat. The white color is formed because of a variety of reasons. Below are the main causes of the white spots on tonsils.
Infectious Mononucleosis
The infectious mononucleosis is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus(1). This infection usually spread through the saliva. This is why it is often referred as the kissing illness. When you have this infection, you are likely to get white patches of pus around the tonsils. These spots are painful especially when swallowing or chewing food.
Some of the other symptoms that accompany this conditions include:
- Headaches
- Flu-like symptoms
- Body rashes
- Fevers
- Extreme fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Strep throat
Another condition that causes white spots or streaks on the tonsils is the strep throat. The strep throat, also referred as the streptococcal pharyngitis is a contagious disease(2) that is caused by the Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria.
However, this doesn’t mean that it will not attack the teenager and adults. The Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria spread through contact with droplets from an infected person sneezes or coughs.
Some of the symptoms that accompany this condition include;
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Inflammation and swelling of the throat
- Flu-like symptoms
- Fever
- Headaches
Tonsillitis
As you probably know, tonsillitis is the term that usually refers to the infection of the tonsils. Although this infection is caused by the S. pyogenes, we also have other viruses and bacteria that lead to the condition. When the tonsil tries to repel this infection, they usually swell and sometimes produce white pus.
Some of the other symptoms that accompany tonsillitis include:
- Fever
- A sore throat
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Headaches
Oral thrush
Oral thrush is a yeast infection that is usually caused by the Candida albicans fungus(3). This infection is frequent in people who have suppressed immune systems. Individuals who have been on antibiotics for long, as well as those suffering from diabetes.
Are also at an increased risk. When you have this yeast infection, the white patches will not only appear on the tonsils but also on the roof of the mouth, tongue as well as inside the cheeks.
Tonsil Stones
Tonsil stones(4) also referred as the tonsils is also a major cause of the white spots on the tonsils. These stones are usually calcium deposits that develop in small cracks in the tonsils.
The deposits appear as white or yellow spots on the tonsils. Another symptom that accompanies this condition includes bad breath, earaches, and sore throat.
Other Causes White Spots on Tonsils
As mentioned earlier there are many causes of the white spots on tonsils. Below are the less common causes of this condition.
- Oral cancer
- Precancerous leukoplakia
- HIV and AIDS
- Treating the white spots on tonsils
Home Remedies for White Spots on Tonsils
The treatment option that you use will depend on the underlying cause. Below are some of the treatment options and their best application.
1.Salty Water
Salt contains antibacterial properties that are why it is commonly used in disinfecting bruises and wounds. Salt is also used to clear the throat from mucus and dirt. It also makes a great home remedy to get rid of the white spots on tonsils.
Also, warm water with salt can also be used as a mouth floss to get rid of plaque that accumulates on teeth. This is very useful for individuals with oral problems as it helps them maintain good oral hygiene.
Using salt to Remove the white spots on tonsils
- Take a cup of temperate water
- Put about 2tablespoon of table salt
- Whisk it until it is completely dissolved
- Sip the temperate salt water and gargle for 3 minutes
- Spit it and do this again until you empty the cup
Repeat this daily and the white spots will disappear after several days of use
2. Basil
Another great home remedy is the basil. This herb is great at eliminating this condition from its roots. Using this herb will help remove the white spots and patches on the tonsils as well as the cheeks.
Besides, removing the white spot, basil also very useful in reducing the pain of the tonsils allowing you to chew and swallow food with more ease. Eating the basil leaves also improves your immune system. As you probably know, if you have a strong immune system, your body can resist infectious diseases effectively.
Using basil to get rid of whitish spots around your throat
- Get a bunch of basil leaves, lemon, and water
- Using a mortar and pestle crush the basil leaves until you get a thick paste
- Warm about one cup of water and add one tablespoon of the basil paste
- Stir well until you get a sooth consistency
- Take sip and gurgle this solution for 2-3 minutes
- Spit is out and repeat this until you empty your cup
To get both the benefits of clearing the white spots on tonsils and boosting the immune system, you can add about one tbsp of basil into tepid milk. Take this solution before retiring to bed.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This makes it efficient in getting rid of various infections. The viruses that make the tonsils to get swollen are effortlessly treatable by consuming foods with vitamin C.
By consuming lemon juice, you will increase the body’s fighting ability to infections as well as inhibit the bacterial growth. Besides, lemon is a powerful natural exfoliant that is used in curing dry skin, treating eczema, as well as scalp rashes.
Using lemon juice diminish the white spots on the tonsils
- Warm a cup of water and add about three tablespoon lemon juice
- Stir well and gargle this solution a few times
- This wills sooth the painful and inflamed tonsils
- For fast healing, repeat this at least two times a day.
Additionally, you can also mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice in lukewarm water and stir the solution well. Drink this at least two times a day to speed up the healing process.
4. Coconut Oil Thrush
Coconut essential oil contains active compounds such as the lauric acid. This compound is known to possess strong anti-inflammatory and anti fungal properties. These properties are quite essential in getting rid of the white spots around your throat naturally.
This makes it useful in curing various ailments including acne as well as sores. This makes it very efficient in getting rid of those white spots on the throat. In addition, coconut makes great mouth floss that eliminates plaque and works great as a home medication for toothaches.
Using the Essential Coconut Oil
- Get an organic coconut oil
- Pour about three frozen tablespoons of coconut oil in a glass
- Warm it to liquid form and take about one tablespoon and gargle it around the inflamed tonsil
- Gurgle for 2 minutes and spit it out
- Do this at least two times daily
5. Mint
Mint has a soothing aroma, and it has both antiviral and antimicrobial properties. This makes it another great home remedy to fight infection as well as alleviating throat pain. Therefore, if you are looking for an effective way remove of the white spots and throat irritation, you can go for this product.
Although all mint is great, mint rich with menthol has a calming effect on the irritated throat is more effective. Besides healing and soothing the irritation, this product also does a great job in inhibiting the micro-organisms from spreading.
Using menthol in treatment of the white strand and spots
- Put about one cup of water in a pot and add a bunch of mint leaves
- Heat the pan and let the mixture to simmer for about 10-15 mins
- Strain it and add a tbs of lemon juice
- Drink this solution twice a day for fast healing
Another alternative way of preparing this home remedy id to crush the simmered leaves into a lemon paste. Put this paste on a cotton ball and apply on the area affected. Let it stay for about thirty minutes and then remove it. Gargle with warm water. For fast relieve, do this at least two times daily.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric(5) has potent antibacterial properties making it a great solution in getting rid of the whitish spots on the throat.
Besides, turmeric is rich in curcumin, which not only has a spicy taste but also a natural wound curative abilities.
Using the Turmeric for White Spots on Tonsils
- Roast about one tablespoon of turmeric powder
- Mix the turmeric powder with tepid water and mix well until it is dissolved
- Gargle the solution a few times until the cup is empty
- For fast result do this twice daily
To get the full benefits of the turmeric herb, mix one tablespoon of turmeric powder in a cup of milk and drink it on a daily basis before retiring to bed.
Conclusion
The most common cause of the white spots on tonsils is a viral infection. However, as you can see, there are other serious health conditions that can cause swollen tonsils such as STDs or even oral cancer.
However, it is important to consult your doctor for correct diagnosis. Doing this, the doctor can advise you on the best home remedy to use and also give you advice on how to eat healthily. Good luck!
Comments are closed.