Thank you Mumsnet - today I learned all about tonsil stones

[Jaggypinecone]

I had always thought that the white things on my tonsils were just tonsillitis but after two horrendous bouts of it in as many months I now realise they are tonsil stones. Can you get both though? Is it one in the same?

I seem to get more and more bouts of sore throats and tonsillitis now. Last time I was having a good look and poking around with the end of my toothbrush when a tonsil stone popped out. I never knew what it was until now but it seriously gave me the boak - I gagged so much that my tonsils contracted and more came out. And the smell - Jeeeeeezuuuuzzzzzz!!!

So I'm now on my 6th sore throat/tonsilitis/tonsil stone of the year and about to go to the docs about it. I have been previously about having a runny nose and they seem to have decided that I have allergies (particularly to my cat) and that's what's causing the problem. Now I'm starting to think that's bollocks and it's these darn stones/tonsilitis that are infecting the rest of my throat, ears and nose.

Oh wondrous folk of Mumsnet your thoughts please.

My DH has tonsil stones. He saw an ENT consultant as a white patch appeared which didn't go away (it was viral, and caused by the tonsil stones). He recommended a mouthwash that contains hydrogen peroxide and gargling. He tried Corsodyl at first but it didn't do the trick, then he tried Colgate Peroxyl and it cleared up quickly (you don't need a prescription, you should be able to get it from the supermarket). He also has a spray kit which you can buy off amazon to clean the back of his throat (squirts water at it!). I hope this helps!