Small dots, spots, or white lumps in the throat can be symptoms of various illnesses or infections that are not necessarily worrisome but should be treated.
A whitish granular deposit: white angina pectoris
The small white dots in the back of the throat, more precisely on the surface of the tonsils, are “typical of angina white (inflammation of the tonsils)especially if you have other symptoms such as sore throat, difficulty swallowing, fatigue, a runny nose, cough and fever. These little white balls that form granular deposits are not worrying and are well known to ENT doctors,” explains Dr. Maïlys Ducours, Deputy Clinical Director of the Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases at Bordeaux University Hospital, Pellegrin Hospital Group. That is the Caseum : a collection of tonsil cells, food particles, bacteria and fibrin, a filamentous protein that lodges in the cavities of the tonsils.
► Should I be worried? Most of the time, white angina pectoris is harmless. Despite it, if the fever increases or does not go away after 3 daysit is advisable to consult your family doctor. Even if red spots appear all over the body (indication of a.), a consultation is required Scarlet fever), if the pain is localized to only one side (indication of an abscess).
Caseum deposits on an almond © Azat – stock.adobe.com
Spots like “curdled milk”: oral thrush
Isolated white spots in the throat can also be a sign of oral thrush, a fungal infection (also called “oral candidiasis”). caused by overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans in the mouth. Predisposing factors include a weakened immune system, diabetes, taking antibiotics… These spots are present “in clumps” and whitishwith an aspect of rotten milk or white cheese. They are deposited in the mucous membrane of the palate, cheeks and tongue.
If thrush persists, consultation is necessary
► Should I be worried? It's an infection very frequentedespecially in infants, which generally does not cause any particular complications. Thrush heals spontaneously within a few days (up to a maximum of 2 weeks) in light. If thrush persists, a consultation is required, which may require the prescription of an antifungal medication. Young children should also see a doctor if white, painful lesions appear in their mouth or if they have diaper rash.
Photo of oral candidiasis in women (tongue) © Alessandro Grandini – stock.adobe.com
Lesions in the cheeks: leukoplakia
Whitish spots in the mouth, gums, inside of the cheeks, roof of the mouth or tongue, that don't disappear when scratched, may be a sign of oral leukoplakia. This generally results frompersistent irritation of the mucous membranes from inside the mouth. The main risk factors include: smoke a lotexcessive consumption of alcohol and/or spicy foods, wearing ill-fitting braces, poor oral hygienean infection with the Epstein-Barr virus or the virus Herpes 4…
► Should I be worried? Most cases of leukoplakia are harmless and can go away without intervention, simply by changing your habits (better dental hygiene, smoking less or quitting, etc.). Untreated or in more serious cases (lesions called “inhomogeneous”: irregular surface, painful), which are lesions precancerous and likely to develop into oral cancer,”usually only after about ten years“, specifies Dr. Christophe Lecart, dentist and spokesman for the French Union for Oral Health. In any case, when leukoplakia occurs, it is important to first consult your treating doctor, who can refer you to an ENT if necessary.
“Online” spots: lichen planus
White patches or areas that form on the mucous membranes of the cheeks, tongue, and gums may be a sign oral lichen planuswhose origin would be fromemotional order, trauma, shock or strong emotions can be responsible. These spots are usually colored “white-blue”, lace, on-line” or grouped in small branches. They are not painful but may be accompanied by redness or canker sores.
► Should I be worried? However, lichen planus is not serious in itself does not disappear spontaneouslyTherefore, you should consult your doctor or a dermatologist who will prescribe appropriate treatment.
Photo of lichen planus in the mouth © Dirk – stock.adobe.com
A sign of Covid?
White spots or lumps in the throat are not signs of Covid. “Ideally, the distinction between angina pectoris and Covid-19 is made during the doctor's clinical examination. With angina pectoris, the appearance of the tonsils changes: The tonsils are very swollen and red with red angina pectoris or covered with a whitish coating with white angina pectoris. On the other hand, This change in the tonsils is absolutely not visible during a Covid infection“, explains our interlocutor.