Can you scrape off strep throat

Only a doctor can determine if you need a tonsillectomy or other treatment for chronic tonsil stones. Talk to your health care provider if you experience severe or prolonged symptoms. Balaji Babu B. Christopher Y. Dykes, S. Izzat, V. YP Krespi, V. Our team includes board-certified physicians and highly skilled speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

We treat a variety of ear, nose, and throat conditions in both children and adults and provide both surgical and non-surgical options. Our doctors also take part in research and clinical trials. We have locations throughout western Pennsylvania for patient convenience. Share this on: Post updated Oct. Whether tonsillitis has been caused by a virus or bacteria, it can easily spread from person to person because such infections are contagious.

This is more likely when someone has an active infection, Clark says. Tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection, such as Streptococcus pyogenes group A streptococcus , the same bacteria that causes strep throat , is highly contagious. People with strep spread the bacteria by coughing and sneezing, which sends tiny droplets through the air that contain the bacteria.

The infection can then be spread by any of the following ways: 5. But sore throats are fairly common and can happen several times in a cold season. And Clark adds that you should seek urgent care such as an emergency room if these symptoms are present:. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: January 9, Medically Reviewed. The symptoms you may experience when you have tonsillitis can include the following: 1 Red, swollen tonsils A white or yellow coating or spots on the tonsils Sore throat Difficult or painful swallowing Fever Enlarged, tender glands lymph nodes in the neck A scratchy, muffled, or throaty voice Bad breath An altered sense of taste Stomachache, especially in younger children Stiff neck Headache For very young children who may not be able to describe the symptoms they are experiencing, look for these characteristics: Fever Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing Refusal to eat Unusual fussiness.

In most cases, tonsillitis will go away on its own in about five to seven days, Clark says. White spots may be the only symptom of oral thrush, but when additional symptoms develop they may include:. Tonsillitis involves inflammation or swelling of the tonsils. Although the Streptococcus bacterium can lead to tonsillitis, it is not the only cause.

Common viruses that may cause tonsillitis include rhinovirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus. Mononucleosis is a viral infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which affects certain blood cells. Infectious mononucleosis spreads easily from person to person.

The tonsils have several crevices. Bacteria and mucus can become stuck in them. When this material gets trapped, the debris may harden and calcify, which causes white spots. There are also other causes that are less common than those listed above. Additional causes include a pre-cancerous condition called leukoplakia, oral herpes , and oral cancer. A medical exam will aid diagnosis and may include looking in the back of the throat and feeling the lymph glands in the neck.

In some cases, doctors may recommend blood tests and a throat culture. Blood tests indicate if certain antibodies are present, which helps identify specific infections. A throat culture involves rubbing a cotton swab across the back of the throat to collect a sample from the tonsils. The cells and secretions collected are analyzed to identify the presence of bacteria and determine the type of infection. There are a variety of causes of white spots, so there is a range of treatments.

For example, if spots are due to tonsil stones, treatment may include removal of the stones. Spots due to strep throat require an antibiotic. White spots on the tonsils due to an oral yeast infection may need antifungal medication. If recurrent infections of the tonsils are an issue, surgery may be recommended to remove the tonsils. A doctor will not usually prescribe antibiotics for white spots on the tonsils due to a viral infection, such as mononucleosis or viral tonsillitis.

The time it takes for white spots to clear up may vary based on the cause and treatment used. Most of the causes of white spots on the tonsils are treatable or clear up on their own in a few weeks. Hand-washing is one of the most important ways to reduce the spread of viral and bacterial infections that may lead to white spots.