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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Left Tonsil Enlarged With White Spot. Smoker. Is This Related To Smoking?

I recently just got over a staph infection on my leg from a scratch. I was taking antiboitics and all teh symptoms have gone away. Now I look in my throat and I see that my left tonsil is enlarged and there is one white spot on it. It's not sore nor painful. I have no fever or any symptoms other than it being uncomfortable. I have no idea what this means and I am very worried about. I am a smoker and my teeth are not very good. I'm not sure if this is related to it but any answer you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Mon, 27 May 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic.

Painless white spot in one of the tonsil may be a tonsillolith. This is formed by a small foreign body like undigested food particle such as fish bone above which calcium is deposited over a period of time. Enlarged tonsils indicate tonsillitis. A hardened tonsillolith itself can get infected and inflamed to produce swelling of tonsils.

Tosillolith are usually seen in tonsillar cleft. Both tonsillolith and smoking can cause bad breath. If it is not associated with pain, it can be left alone. But since it is associated with swelling, although fever is not present it is better that you consult an ENT surgeon.

Physical examination and X-Ray are required for confirmation of diagnosis. Tonsillectomy is the preferable treatment if multiple tonsilloliths are present otherwise anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics can reduce the swelling of tonsils but will not have an effect on tonsillolith.

I hope this is useful to you.
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Left Tonsil Enlarged With White Spot. Smoker. Is This Related To Smoking?

Hi. Thanks for asking in Healthcare Magic. Painless white spot in one of the tonsil may be a tonsillolith. This is formed by a small foreign body like undigested food particle such as fish bone above which calcium is deposited over a period of time. Enlarged tonsils indicate tonsillitis. A hardened tonsillolith itself can get infected and inflamed to produce swelling of tonsils. Tosillolith are usually seen in tonsillar cleft. Both tonsillolith and smoking can cause bad breath. If it is not associated with pain, it can be left alone. But since it is associated with swelling, although fever is not present it is better that you consult an ENT surgeon. Physical examination and X-Ray are required for confirmation of diagnosis. Tonsillectomy is the preferable treatment if multiple tonsilloliths are present otherwise anti inflammatory drugs and antibiotics can reduce the swelling of tonsils but will not have an effect on tonsillolith. I hope this is useful to you.