Tonsil Crypts or Tonsilliths or Tonsil Stones. How will they progress?

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Chac - 13 Jan 2005 20:29 GMT

Hi folks,

I am male, 20 years of age, and have been having problems with tonsil
crypts. I have about 4 small ones on my left tonsil, which cause no
problems at all, and 2 large ones on my right, which constantly emit
an odour not unlike a sewer! After giving up on 'picking at them', I
am currently trying throat irrigation with a DIY device, and I'm on
antihistamines to try and reduce nasal drip from my many allergies.

My question is, what will happen to them in the long term. Will they
heal up, shrink, or will they continue to grow until I have no tonsils
at all? My doctor's not much interested. My best friend reckons he
can't smell them, but it's hard to believe! I think he's just trying
to protect my feelings? Is there anybody else who can smell their
tonsils, when no-one else can?

Any help would be much appreciated,
Chris

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PF Riley - 13 Jan 2005 23:29 GMT

>Hi folks,
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>to protect my feelings? Is there anybody else who can smell their
>tonsils, when no-one else can?

The odor from the tonsilliths can certainly waft up into your
nasopharynx where you smell them even if your mouth is closed, so you
may very well smell them when others don't.

PF

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Adri - 29 Mar 2005 21:15 GMT

Definitely, tonsilliths will at least add to bad breath, although they're
not the actual cause of it.

Obviously, you've done some homework on them.
If you're not in a lot of pain from swollen tonsils or seeing blood in your
saliva or phlegm, I wouldn't worry about 'em too much. If you're concerned
about bad breath, just do the usual, man: brush your teeth, mouthwash,
breath mints, gum, etc.

I've had 'em for over 6 years now, and I haven't noticed any particular
worsening in their appearance or number in that time. Every once in a
great while, usually after a lot of talking or an unusually large number of
cigarettes, my left tonsil will swell up a little. This is easily &
quickly remedied for me with some cold water & a good mouth-cleansing.

However, with my particular case, I know why I developed tonsilliths. My
own darn fault. (shame)

If it's intolerably bothersome for you, maybe consider having your tonsils
removed.

As far as "what will happen" with them over time... I dunno if any doctor
will be able to answer that one for you with any certainty. Judging by the
multitude of diagnosis mistakes I've read online, tonsilliths have been
accused of essentially being everything from throat cancer to a symptom of
pregnancy!

Try this link: http://64.233.161.104/search?
q=cache:0AFbWjbBpdkJ:www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum126/HTML/003022.html+tonsilliths&hl=en&lr=&strip=1

Lotta good & SENSIBLE info there.

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