...to think this is gross? *throat picture included*

[ohisay]

This is my 7 year old's throat. What's going on? Someone said maybe a tonsil stone? What do they do for those, does anyone know? She's had some ear ache and trouble swallowing but has had tonsillitis repeatedly since two years of age, so swallowing always a bit of an issue anyway.
If it was my throat if be poking it, but being as she's 7 I've stayed away
She's booked into GP tomorrow but not sure what to expect?
Any wisdom would be greatly received

[TheseLittleEarthquakes]

Ooh yes that's a tonsil stone.

I'm very jealous. You can tease them out, although she probably won't let you. They stink.

[fishandlilacs]

That's a tonsil stone. Take her to doc. She might have underlying infection

[hollinhurst84]

Oooooooh that's a good one
I just remove mine with a cotton bud. Press tonsil, pops out, sweep it out with cotton bud

[Buzzardbird]

Poor thing, is she booked in for a tonsilectomy yet?

[TroysMammy]

It's a tonsil stone. I used to get tonsillitis a lot as a child and as a result my tonsils are pitted and stuff gets trapped. I enjoy winkling them out but I haven't had any for a while though.

[WeirdAndPissedOff]

Yup - tonsil stone. Basically you have lots of "pockets" in your tonsils and sometimes debris gets in there and hardens. It's more common for people who have tonsillitis regularly.
AFAIK there's no real treatment - just pop 'em out and keep an eye to see if it happens again. Otherwise it's the underlying cause (eg recurring tonsillitis, throat infection) that can be looked at.
But worth taking her to GP in case there's an infection. Plus it may be difficult to remove at home.

There's nothing to worry about, btw. They stink and can irritate the tonsil.but they dont "do" anything.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

If she's had repeated tonsillitis for the last five years why isn't she having her tonsils out? Her tonsils are big too.

[ohisay]

A unanimous verdict then!
No tonsillectomy in sight, she's had tonsillitis 12+ times, 7 in the year ending nursery/starting school alone!
Ear infections a minimum twice a year too!
If she'd let me get it out I'd be straight there, she's not liking the idea of the dr looking let alone anything else! Do Drs get them out or just leave them? Her breath is awful

[Lucked]

Oh yes, I would just get her to press hard on her tonsil to the side of the stone (I use a clean finger but cotton bud is an option), I imagine a whole little pile of them are going to come tumbling out - it will be beautiful.

While it is like that they will probably get local irritation and infection. I use to get recurrent pain in one tonsil until I released them.

[hollinhurst84]

I can smell when other people have them now, it's v distinctive
The smell will stay until the stone is out

[Buzzardbird]

I would be leaning on the GP for a referral. She is way past the remit for removal.

[eightbluebirds]

There is no medical need to remove them I don't think? Yeah they're pretty smelly. Better off removing at home. Get do tp gargle some salty water. I prod with a cotton bud ( to the side to pop it out)

[ohisay]

Oooops missed some replies.
Drs just won't refer her! I've out right asked and they passed me an adults questionnaire about sleep and said if her sleep is affected enough according to this sheet then you can bring her back and we will look at it?!
You should hear her snore, makes my husband sound quiet! Her main issue is repeated infection and swallowing on a day to day basis, she swallows like all food is dry if that makes sense? Often double swallows. GP just treats immediate issue (infection) then sends us away

[DocMcFanjo]

I used to get these. Never poked at them (despite going into medicine because of deep-seated sporning tendencies). They work their own way out in my experience.
It would never have occurred to me to poke one out from a patient's tonsil but I suppose if it was infected I would.
Lovely pic btw OP.

[eightbluebirds]

That was misleading - go to docs to check for an infection but the tonsil stones themselves do little harm apart from stink.

[OliviaBenson]

Your poor dd! Can you see a different doctor and insist on a referral?

[Buzzardbird]

You need to insist.

Tonsillitis is miserable and her quality of sleep must be deeply disturbed. My nephew was believed to have behaviour problems which were miraculously cured when he had his tonsils out. He just wasn't getting any quality sleep.

Mine were whipped out at a young age as I couldn't eat properly.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

I would ask for an ent referral. 7 episodes in one year meets referral criteria. As does episodes of sleep apnoea or anything that impairs normal function.

[TheCrumpettyTree]

Google the NICE guidelines, print it out and take it with you.

[ohisay]

We have a number of GPs and just see whoever we get in with, I've mentioned referral to two on previous visits, will give a third a go tomorrow!
We've been to out of hours numerous times with her ears/throat (why do children wait until Drs is closed to take poorly!) and I've lost count of the number of medical professionals who have looked in and questioned why she hasn't had a tonsillectomy already!

[ohisay]

I will have a look at the guidelines, thanks for that.
Thanks for replying everyone, I shall put on my hard hat and not leave without a referral

[TheCrumpettyTree]

Here you go

www.sign.ac.uk/pdf/sign117.pdf

Be firm.

[ohisay]

Thank you x

[Buzzardbird]

Good for you ohisay. Poor child has waited long enough.

[PourTheWine]

I get these bit had no idea they had a name! Irritating little buggers too can feel them when swallow - eagerly awaiting my next one now I know I can extract with a cotton bud!