Causes and Treatments for White Spots in Throat
Article Sources
- 1. Tonsillitis.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Dec. 2020, medlineplus.gov/tonsillitis.html.
- 2. Tonsillitis: Overview. InformedHealth.org /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401249/.
- 3. 'Strep Throat: All You Need to Know.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Jan. 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html.
- 4. 'Candida Infections of the Mouth, Throat, and Esophagus.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Feb. 2021, www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html.
- 5. 'Tonsillitis.' MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001043.htm.
- 6. 'Tonsillitis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378483.
- 7. 'Tonsillitis: Overview.' InformedHealth.org., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401249/.
- 8. 'Oral Thrush: Overview.' InformedHealth.org., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK367586/.
- 9. 'Tonsillitis.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378479.
- 10. 'Risk and Prevention.' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Nov. 2020, www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/invasive/risk-prevention.html.
- 11. 'Tonsillectomy.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tonsillectomy/about/pac-20395141.
- 13. Anderson, Jackie. 'Tonsillitis.' StatPearls., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544342/.
Many people feel understandably alarmed when they notice white spots at the back of the throat. White spots often appear as streaks or blotches on the tonsils, and they may contain pus. They are usually accompanied by a sore throat, which may be severe.
White spots in the throat are usually caused by an infection and will often go away on their own without treatment. However, a severe infection may require treatment. A doctor can perform tests to find the cause of white spots in the throat and select the most appropriate treatment.
Viral Causes of White Spots in the Throat
White spots in the throat can be due to tonsillitis, inflammation of the tonsils, which is usually caused by a viral infection.1Tonsillitis.’ MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Dec. 2020, medlineplus.gov/tonsillitis.html. This viral infection is most common in children under the age of 5, with those over that age usually experiencing a bacterial infection.
Cold and flu viruses are the most common causes of viral tonsillitis. These spread when are tiny droplets released when an infected person sneezes or talks. Viral tonsillitis is often accompanied by cold symptoms such as nasal congestion or a cough. Tonsillitis caused by viruses usually starts suddenly and gets better on its own within a couple of weeks.2Tonsillitis: Overview. InformedHealth.org /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401249/.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is caused by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus. People with strep throat may have a severe sore throat and white patches on their tonsils.
Strep throat can also cause a fever, and the glands and tonsils may appear swollen. Some patients also experience a headache and red dots on the roof of the mouth. It occasionally causes stomach pain and vomiting, most commonly in children.3‘Strep Throat: All You Need to Know.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 12 Jan. 2021, www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/strep-throat.html. Strep throat is treated with antibiotics.
Can Fungal Infections Cause White Spots on the Throat?
White spots on the throat are sometimes caused by a fungal infection called candidiasis. The candida fungus occurs naturally in the body, but it can sometimes overgrow to cause a fungal throat infection.
As well as white patches inside the mouth and throat, candidiasis can cause redness, pain, and dulled taste. Some people also develop red, painful cracks in the corners of the mouth and experience a strange sensation as though their mouth is full of cotton wool.4‘Candida Infections of the Mouth, Throat, and Esophagus.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Feb. 2021, www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/thrush/index.html.
When Should You Call a Doctor?
Many people with white spots on the tonsils will make a full recovery without medical treatment, while others will need medication. However, you should see a physician if there are signs of a severe infection.
White spots filled with pus, a high fever or a red rash are signs that a visit to a health care provider is needed. In addition, if a child is drooling excessively, seek medical advice. Dial 911 if you experience breathing difficulties.5‘Tonsillitis.’ MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001043.htm.
How are White Spots in the Throat Diagnosed?
The doctor will start by examining the white spots. They may also feel to see if the neck glands are enlarged to check for a viral infection.
As it isn't usually possible to determine the cause of white spots in the throat simply by looking at them, the doctor will probably take a throat swab. The results can help identify the cause of the infection and choose the right treatment.6‘Tonsillitis.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20378483.
Treatment for White Spots in the Throat
Many people with white spots on the throat will get better on their own, and those with pain can take over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce fever and soothe a sore throat. If it's bacterial tonsillitis, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. Antibiotics typically stop bacterial transmission within 24 hours of starting the course.7‘Tonsillitis: Overview.’ InformedHealth.org., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 17 Jan. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK401249/.
If the white spots are caused by candidiasis, the doctor may prescribe antifungal cream or tablets to kill the fungus.8‘Oral Thrush: Overview.’ InformedHealth.org., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Aug. 2019, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK367586/.
Who is at Risk?
Children are more likely to develop white spots in the throat due to viral tonsillitis, and bacterial infections such as strep throat are more common in children between 5 and 15. Coming into frequent contact with germs makes you more likely to catch the infections that cause tonsillitis.9‘Tonsillitis.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 7 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsillitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378479.
Premature babies and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of white spots in the throat due to a candida infection.10‘Risk and Prevention.’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 18 Nov. 2020, www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/invasive/risk-prevention.html.
Tonsillectomy
In rare cases, surgery (called a tonsillectomy in this case) may be necessary when a person keeps getting white spots in the throat. The surgeon will remove the tonsils to stop tonsillitis from coming back.
A tonsillectomy will usually only be performed if a patient gets tonsillitis very frequently, usually around seven episodes in a year. Doctors may also recommend a tonsillectomy if a bacterial infection doesn't get better with antibiotics or if the patient has a tonsil abscess.11‘Tonsillectomy.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 10 Nov. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/tonsillectomy/about/pac-20395141. Partial tonsillectomy may be a better, safer choice than total tonsillectomy.
Home Remedies for White Spots in the Throat
People with a throat infection should get plenty of rest and keep well hydrated. Painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help ease discomfort, and throat sprays are available that contain a local anesthetic to numb the pain.
Gargling with salt water and cold food and drink like popsicles can help relieve a sore throat. Over-the-counter throat lozenges can help keep the throat moist and make swallowing more comfortable, although they aren't suitable for young children because they are easy to choke on.
Complications of White Spots in the Throat
The most common complication of tonsillitis is a peritonsillar abscess, where pus builds up behind the tonsils. Teenagers and young adults have a higher risk of developing an abscess, and the complication is more common in smokers.
In very rare cases, strep throat can lead to a disease called rheumatic fever. This complication is more likely to affect children between 5 and 18 years old and causes widespread inflammation, chest pain, heart murmurs, and unusual body movements, as well as arthritis.13Anderson, Jackie. ‘Tonsillitis.’ StatPearls., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 10 Aug. 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544342/.
