- Female
- 34 Years
- 22/01/2025
I'm a 34-year-old female and recently noticed a white oval lump behind my tonsil on the left side of my mouth. I only spotted it last month while dealing with some wisdom teeth issues. It doesn't hurt or cause any symptoms, but I'm really anxious about it because I have health anxiety. I drink moderately, just a few glasses of wine on the weekends, and I don't smoke. I'm fit and healthy otherwise. Can you help me understand what this might be?
Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors
It sounds like you may have a tonsil stone, also known as a tonsillolith. Tonsil stones are small, white or yellowish lumps that can form in the crevices of your tonsils. They are usually harmless and can sometimes occur after an episode of tonsillitis or when debris gets trapped in the tonsil crypts. To help reduce the size of the tonsil stone and prevent them from forming, you can try gargling with warm salt water regularly. In some cases, if the tonsil stones are large or causing discomfort, they may need to be removed by a healthcare professional. In the meantime, you can try using a water flosser to gently dislodge the tonsil stone. If you continue to have concerns or if the lump behind your tonsil changes in size or causes any symptoms, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
Dr. Dhankecha Suggests...
Consult a Ent Specialist
Answered 04/07/2025
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My throat's been hurting for a couple of days now, but its not like a typical sore throat. The pain feels like its on the outside at two specific spots, and it doesnt hurt when I swallow or anything, no cold symptoms either. The pain's just there constantly, whether I talk, sneeze, yawn, or even touch my throat. Eating and drinking seem normal though. Is it okay if I have cold foods or spicy stuff? And should I be doing any gargling since it's not like the usual throat pain we hear about?
Yes, you can eat cold things and normal spicy food. For the pain in your throat, it is advisable to gargle with warm salt water. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with it several times a day. This can help reduce inflammation and provide some relief. If the pain persists or worsens, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) following the recommended dosage on the package.
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I'm really struggling to understand what's going on with my preauricular sinus pit. I've had it since birth on my left ear and for years, it would drain and I'd have to use medications. It stopped leaking around 5 to 10 years ago, but I started dealing with swelling instead, and tried more meds. Then in 2017, it got infected and turned into an abscess, so I went through surgery for an incision and drainage. The surgeon said they removed the entire tract, but I'm still getting swelling that won't heal, even with meds. It's really confusing and frustrating. Given that this seems to be a rare issue, what steps should I take? Who's the best surgeon to reach out to about something like this?
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Disclaimer: Answers on Apollo 247 are not intended to replace your doctor advice. Always seek help of a professional doctor in case of an medical emergency or ailment.