White Spots on Throat: Causes and Treatment

White Spots on Throat
Medically reviewed by Richard Honaker M.D.

Overview

White spots on the back of the throat can signify bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. They can appear as small dots, pimples, and white streaks on the tonsils. Various medical conditions, such as tonsilitis and bacterial and viral infections, can cause them. Treatment options can vary depending on the underlying cause. Prescription medication is given if the cause is infectious. Lifestyle changes and home remedies can help manage the accompanying symptoms and, in some cases, eliminate the white bumps. Therefore, getting a proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider is essential. This blog will shed light on the underlying causes and explore the available treatment options needed to treat the white spots in your throat. 

What causes white stuff on the tonsils?

Various bacterial, fungal, and viral throat infections can cause white patches to appear on the tonsils. Depending on the underlying cause, other symptoms like pain, sore throat, or swelling can accompany them. The following conditions can cause whiteness in your throat.

Strep Throat

Strep throat, also known as streptococcal pharyngitis, is a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium. Strep throat is a common cause of white patches in your throat. Other symptoms can also appear, such as

  • Fever
  • Fatigue 
  • Swollen neck
  • Red and swollen tonsils
  • Red dots on the mouth’s roof
  • Scarlet fever rash

Strep throat spreads through contact with the infected person’s droplets, such as coughing, sneezing, or sharing food. Proper medication can treat it within 3-5 days.

Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils. Both bacteria and viruses can cause it, but the bacterium S. pyogenes is most commonly responsible. Infected tonsils can swell and produce white patches in the back of the throat. White spots from tonsillitis are accompanied by  other symptoms, such as

  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Difficulty in swallowing.

Almost 70% of tonsillitis are caused by viruses. Bacterial tonsillitis is commonly referred to as strep throat. 

“Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections can cause white spots on the throat. Out of the bunch, bacterial white spots tend to be more severe and are commonly accompanied by bad breath, cough, and congestion. ”, shares Dr. Richard Honaker

Tonsil stones

Food debris, calcium deposits, bacteria, and mucous can build up on tonsils to create white, pebble-like formations called tonsil stones and the condition is known as tonsilloliths. These white stones are not painful and go unnoticed by many people. Other side effects of tonsilloliths include:

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Among the STDs, viral STDs are more prone to cause white spots on throat. You need to get specially tested for these STDs as they do not show up on a normal blood test. 

  • Oral herpes, caused by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), and genital herpes, caused by HSV-2, make these white sores tingly and cause flu-like symptoms. Both forms of herpes spread through saliva and can be transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. 
  • Chlamydia, specifically in the throat, is responsible for white tonsils. Its symptoms resemble those of strep throat. 
  • Low-risk strains of Human papillomavirus (HPV) can also cause white sores on the throat and tonsils.

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush (oropharyngeal candidiasis) is a yeast infection that causes white patches in the back of your throat. These white spots are not contagious but can spread to the sides of the mouth and tongue. It is commonly caused by Candida albicans fungus, which is transmitted by coming in contact with the infected person’s saliva. 

Oral thrush feels similar to holding cotton in your mouth. The white stuff on your throat can hurt and burn. It causes difficulty in swallowing, speaking, eating, and drinking.

Infectious mononucleosis (mono)

People with mono develop white, pus-filled patches around the tonsils. If left untreated, these white spots can cause headaches, fevers, body rashes, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. The Epstein-Barr virus is the most common cause of infectious mononucleosis or mono. It can be transmitted through the infected person’s saliva, e.g., by kissing or sharing utensils. 

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia causes thick white or grey patches inside the mouth and sometimes the throat. It is caused by smoking or chewing tobacco too much. Leukoplakia is generally a harmless condition that can go away on its own. However, it can also be an indicator of oral cancer. If white stuff on your tonsils persists for over two weeks, consult a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.

Bacterial infections like strep throat commonly cause white spots to appear on your tonsils.

How to get rid of white spots on the tonsils?

Treatment options for white patches on tonsils depend on the underlying condition. Your doctor will recommend surgical and non-surgical options to treat the white sores.

Non-surgical treatment

White patches on tonsils are commonly treated with non-surgical treatments, such as medication and lifestyle changes. 

Prescription Medications

  • Antifungals like Clotrimazole, Amphotericin B, Fluconazole (Diflucan), and Itraconazole (Imidazole) are used if a yeast infection, such as Oral Thrush, is causing white mouth. 
  • Azithromycin, Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin, or other antibiotics are given for strep throat and other bacterial infections. 
  • Antiviral drugs like acyclovir(Zovirax), famciclovir, and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are prescribed for oral herpes and mono.
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen are given, but corticosteroids are also prescribed in case of severe inflammation.
White fungal spots can be easily transmitted through contact. Get anti-fungal treatment now!

Over-the-counter medications

Pain relief medications, including acetaminophen and naproxen, provide effective relief if the white spots on your throat hurt. The tonsils can also become red and inflamed, resulting in a swollen neck and difficulty swallowing. Your healthcare provider will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce inflammation. Remember to always consult with a medical professional before taking any medication.

Lifestyle changes

Simple lifestyle changes can help quicken the recovery of white patches on your throat. Some healthy habits to adopt include

  • Avoiding citrus drinks and alcohol. They can irritate the spots, causing them to become swollen. 
  • Eating soft and frozen food.
  • Not sharing personal utensils.
  • Avoid pollutants such as tobacco, smoking, and car exhaust.

Home Remedies

Depending on the cause, the white spots may take time to clear. Home treatment can help manage the symptoms.

  • Gargle with warm salt water several times a day. It can clear out mucous and built-up food debris and ease inflamed tonsils.
  • Drink tea with honey or other warm liquids to relieve dry and irritated throat.
  • Dry throat is a common cause of white patches on your tonsils hurting. Humidifiers or steam baths can help with that by increasing the humidity in your room.

Surgical treatment

Sometimes, non-surgical treatment may not work, and the white patches on your tonsils won’t go away even after a few weeks. Here are some procedures to discuss with your doctor.

Removal of leukoplakia and tonsil stones

Leukoplakia and tonsil stones can be removed using many techniques. They can be scraped with a surgical knife, water jets, and cotton buds. In laser treatment, heat is used to target the white patches. The tonsils can recover within 1-4 weeks, and a follow-up is recommended every six months in case the patches come back.

Removal of tonsils (tonsillectomy)

Tonsils are removed surgically in cases of recurrent throat infections or high inflammation. According to research in 2023,  Tonsillectomy is the most common surgery for children. It is a minor procedure, and the patient can fully recover within ten days.

When should I see a doctor?

White spots in the back of your throat can be managed through medication, lifestyle changes, and home remedies or disappear independently over time. If white spots persist, become too painful, or are accompanied by other symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, breathing obstruction, or fever, you should consult a doctor immediately. 

Get a professional diagnosis and treatment for the white patches on your tonsils.

FAQs about white spots on throat

How long do white spots on the throat last?

White spots on your throat can last three days to two weeks, depending on the underlying condition. If the white spots don’t go away or start to hurt, seek medical help immediately.

Can a cold cause white spots in the throat?

A cold itself can not cause white spots in the throat. However, cold-like symptoms, red spots on the roof of your mouth, and whiteness in the throat can be signs of an infection.

Are white spots on the tonsils an STD?

White spots on the tonsils are not a definitive sign of an STD. However, STIs like Chlamydia in the throat can cause them to appear. It can cause throat pain, redness, and similar symptoms as strep throat. Consult a doctor immediately if the white stuff on the tonsils appears after recent sexual contact.

Am I still contagious if I have white spots on my tonsils?

White patches on the tonsils are not contagious, but the symptoms and infections accompanying them, like flu and cough, can be. They can be transmitted by having sexual contact or coming in contact with the infected person’s cough or sneeze droplets.

Your Doctors Online uses high-quality and trustworthy sources to ensure content accuracy and reliability. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and medical associations to provide up-to-date and evidence-based information to the users.

  • Milanez Morgado de Abreu, Marilda A., and Patrícia D. Deps. “Ear, Nose, Throat, and Mouth Alterations in Hansen’s Disease.” Hansen’s Disease: A Complete Clinical Guide. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2023. 191-201.
  • Kumar, K. Antony, et al. “A nonlinear recurrent encoders for early detection of strep throat infection to prevent acute rheumatic fever.” Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing (2024): 1-13.
  • Hayitboyevich, Kuziyev Hamidillo. “GENERAL CONCEPT OF THROAT DISEASE.” Ethiopian International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research 11.03 (2024): 257-260.

 

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