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What could be the cause of enlarged tonsils and white mucus?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

For the past few years, I have observed an increase in the size of my tonsils. Also, there is white mucus i.e., tonsil stones, observed. I remove these tonsil stones manually. What should I do to get rid of these? I have started brushing twice a day, and my sugar intake is close to zero.

Kindly advise.

Answered by Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar is an accomplished Otolaryngologist with expertise in head and neck surgery, as well as cochlear implant procedures. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. Known for his precision and patient-centered approach, Dr. Padiyar combines advanced surgical techniques with compassionate care. 

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

There is nothing that you need to be worried about, as this is a very common entity that we come across and is treatable. Tonsillar stones as such form only when the size of the tonsils increases to such an extent that the food debris accumulates and calcifies over a period of time. You can follow the advice to prevent recurrent infections in the throat.

  • Do salt water gargles eight to ten times a day for one month.
  • Avoid oily, spicy, and cold food/beverages.
  • Keep sipping on boiled warm water every three hours.
  • Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption as much as possible.

All precautionary measures have to be followed as much as possible to prevent any recurrences. Advice mentioned in the points above is extremely important and needs to be followed to prevent relapse of the symptoms. Only if the tonsils are giving too much trouble and recurrent infections are present is it worthwhile to get the tonsils removed surgically, and not otherwise.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Vinodhini J.
Published At August 18, 2020
Reviewed At June 26, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar is an accomplished Otolaryngologist with expertise in head and neck surgery, as well as cochlear implant procedures. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. Known for his precision and patient-centered approach, Dr. Padiyar combines advanced surgical techniques with compassionate care. 

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vinodhini J. is a Dental Surgeon with extensive years of clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and oral health issues, including restorative, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. With a patient-centered approach, she focuses on maintaining oral health, alleviating discomfort, and enhancing smiles. Her expertise ensures comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s dental needs and overall wellbeing.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Bhadragiri Vageesh Padiyar is an accomplished Otolaryngologist with expertise in head and neck surgery, as well as cochlear implant procedures. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions with a focus on restoring function and improving quality of life. Known for his precision and patient-centered approach, Dr. Padiyar combines advanced surgical techniques with compassionate care. 

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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