I've been noticing something a bit off with my throat lately. One of my tonsils is bigger than the other, and though it's really swollen, it doesn't hurt. It has holes in it, and every now and then I notice these small white stone-like things coming out that smell pretty bad. On top of that, my throat has these red bumps that just won't go away. And when I swallow, it feels like there's something on the side with the swollen tonsil. Could this be serious, like tonsil cancer? Should I be thinking about getting my tonsils removed? I'm really worried and would appreciate some guidance on what this might be.

Dr Dr Khaleel Ur Rahim

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 1+ Yrs

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It sounds like you may be experiencing symptoms of tonsillitis with tonsil stones. Tonsillitis can cause one tonsil to be larger than the other, along with swelling, holes, and the presence of white stones that emit a foul odor. The red bumps on the wall of your throat may be related to the inflammation in the area. The sensation of something being present when you swallow could be due to the swollen tonsil. I recommend you start with a course of antibiotics to treat the infection. Use a throat gargle like Chlorhexidine mouthwash to help with the symptoms. If the symptoms persist or worsen, further evaluation by an ENT specialist may be necessary.

Answered 16 days ago