Big tonsils - take them out? (Pics)

[PlanetDave01]

DD is 3, she often has white spots on her tonsils but they have never caused a sore throat or temperature so don't think she ever actually has tonsillitis.

However her tonsils look very big and red, they often get bigger but when they settle I think they still look too big.
She often chokes on food, coughs and gags a lot including at night so I wonder if it's affecting her breathing or swallowing in her sleep.
Will they remove tonsils for these reasons even if she hasn't had infections?

Good job she has a good gag reflex so I could push her tongue down for the photo ??

My sister had hers taken out because they were too big. She was tiny because she couldnt eat enough, it also caused sleep apnea. Does she snore?

No she dosent snore but her sleep is very disturbed. She often coughs in her sleep and struggles to catch her breath causing her to vomit. Although she has frequent chest infections so hard to tell which the cough is related to.

Poor love, that looks uncomfortable. I really think you need to let the GP know how this is affecting her and see if they will refer to ENT. If you have private insurance or can afford a private consult, you're far more likely to get a quicker decision made but I appreciate that's not an option for everyone.

Am I right in thinking they are bigger than they should be? A visit to the GP will be arranged next week I think, better sorted sooner rather than later. We will see how long the wait is for a referal appointment, it's it's too long we will definitely look into private.

Well, to my untrained eye, they do look quite big but I am not a medical professional. I could ask my 4 year old if she'd let me look at hers but I doubt she'll be as obliging as your little one!

The left one in the second pic looks like a cherry tomato!

Helpful

I've just had another look and I think she might have tonsil stones.

My dd has tonsils like this, often gets tonsillitis and had trouble when younger with gagging on food and sleep apnoea. She also had speech therapy and I'm sure that was down to her tonsils.

Dr's won't take them out as they say when shes older they will drop down and fit her more. She hasn't missed school 5 times in a year yet because of it so they won't do anything but record it.

DS was referred to an ENT specialist when he was 5yo, following several bouts of tonsillitis. We were told it was for a second opinion only, that very few doctors recommend children for a tonsillectomy these days.

However, the doc took one look at his giant tonsils, and referred him straightway, said that he was worried that once the tonsils became infected and swollen again they'd obstruct his airway. He also asked about fussy eating, disturbed sleep and snoring, which we able to confirm on both counts.
DS had his tonsils removed a week later.
He rarely gets sore throats or even colds now, it's improved his general health greatly, he eats like a horse and no longer snores.

I'd get it checked out OP. Another opinion can't hurt.