Plugs in the tonsils are a clear sign of bacterial inflammation of lymphadenoid formations. Ulcers on the tonsils in a child result from infection of the ENT organs with staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other types of pathogenic bacteria.
White dots interfere with the natural process of self-cleaning of lymphadenoid accumulations, as a result of which an increase (hypertrophy) of paired organs is observed.
Pathogenic microorganisms localized in the palatine tonsils produce excessive amounts of hydrogen sulfide, resulting in bad breath. Purulent plugs destroy lymphadenoid tissues, which leads to a decrease in local immunity. Poisoning of the body with bacterial metabolites leads to the appearance of general symptoms of intoxication - malaise, hyperthermia, myalgia, lack of appetite, etc.
What are tonsilloliths?
White dots on the tonsils represent dense formations of calcified matter. They are composed primarily of detritus, phagocytes, leukocytes, pathogenic bacteria, and food debris. The presence of plugs signals the development of septic inflammation in the glands, ignoring which can cause serious complications.
The palatine tonsils are located behind the palatine arches between the tongue and the soft palate. Paired organs consist of lymphoid tissues permeated with lacunae and follicles, which contain a large number of lymphocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and other immunocompetent cells. They take part in the development of immunity and the protection of the respiratory system from pathogens.
The formation of purulent exudate begins in crypts (lacunae), where the protective cells neutralize and absorb foreign agents. In the event of a decrease in the reactivity of the body, an excessive amount of desquamated epithelium, protein masses, neutrophils and pathogenic bacteria accumulate in the grooves of the glands. Violation of the drainage function of the tonsils leads to inflammation and the formation of dense purulent plugs in the follicles and crypts.
Etiology
Why do white spots appear on the tonsils? The provocateurs of pathological processes in lymphadenoid formations are bacteria, in particular streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pneumococci, meningococci, etc. Penetrating deep into the tissues, they cause inflammation and the formation of tonsilloliths in the lacunae of the glands.
The development of infectious diseases is facilitated by a decrease in general and local immunity, which may be associated with:
- local hypothermia;
- hypovitaminosis;
- iron deficiency anemia;
- lack of specific immunity;
- allergic reactions;
- mechanical damage to tissues;
- drug abuse;
- dysbiosis and diathesis.
It should be understood that a white spot on the amygdala is only a consequence of an infectious inflammation.
Symptomatic treatment of tonsillolitis does not contribute to the destruction of infectious agents.
Probable diseases
Purulent plugs in the lacunae of the glands are visually difficult to distinguish from white spots that occur during tissue necrosis. Misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment of ENT diseases can aggravate the child's well-being and cause complications. Only a qualified specialist can accurately determine the type of pathology after studying the results of bacterial culture from the pharynx.
White dots in the throat of a child may be the result of the development of the following diseases: lacunar angina:
- candidiasis (thrush);
- stomatitis;
- diphtheria;
- pharyngitis.
The type of disease can be determined by concomitant clinical manifestations, the intensity of inflammatory processes and the localization of white spots. If the disease is caused by bacteria, the child is prescribed antibiotics, if viruses - antiviral agents, if fungi - antimycotics. In addition to the means of etiotropic therapy, it is advisable to carry out sanitizing procedures using medicinal solutions of anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic action.
Due to the reduced reactivity of the child's body, delayed treatment of infectious diseases can lead to the development of lymphadenitis, otitis media, sinusitis and other ENT pathologies.
Lacunar angina
If a child has a red throat, and purulent plugs appear on the palatine tonsils, this may indicate the development of lacunar sore throat. The disease is characterized by diffuse hyperemia of the components of the lymphadenoid ring, edema of the palatine arches, hyperthermia and moderate hypertrophy of the submandibular lymph nodes. Untimely treatment of angina can lead to the development of systemic complications such as glomerulonephritis, encephalitis, pericarditis, meningitis, etc.
Typical clinical manifestations of acute inflammation of the glands include:
- sore throat;
- temperature rise (up to 40 ° C);
- myalgia;
- lack of appetite;
- fever;
the formation of tonsillolitis in the tonsils;- hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx.
the formation of tonsillolitis in the tonsils;Squeezing out abscesses leads to damage to the mucous membranes and deeper penetration of pathogens into soft tissues.
Untimely elimination of the pathogenic flora leads to severe intoxication of the body and the appearance of allergic reactions. Excessive glandular hypertrophy interferes with normal breathing, which can lead to hypoxia.
Oropharyngeal candidiasis
Candidiasis (thrush) is an infectious disease characterized by damage to the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat. The provocateurs of pathological processes in the respiratory organs are microscopic fungi of the genus Candida. The development of candidiasis is facilitated by a decrease in local immunity, which activates the process of reproduction of opportunistic microorganisms.
The development of oral candidiasis is facilitated by inappropriate intake of antibiotics, hormonal drugs and immunosuppressants.
The disease is most often affected by newborns and preschool children. In the case of the development of yeast-like fungi in the lymphadenoid and mucous tissues, the pharynx and tonsils become covered with spots that visually resemble snow flakes. Subject to adequate and timely treatment, candidiasis does not pose a particular threat to health.
If the gland, covered with a white coating, is inflamed and hyperemic, most likely, the infection has penetrated deep into the tissues. With the progression of the disease, spots are formed not only on the glands, the root of the tongue and the back of the throat, but also on the inner surface of the cheeks. For the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis, local and systemic antimycotics are used, which inhibit the reproductive function of bacteria. A decrease in the number of pathogens in the mucous membranes contributes to an increase in tissue reactivity and the complete elimination of pathogenic flora in the lesions.
Aphthous stomatitis
Aphthous stomatitis - ulceration of the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, causing pain when swallowing and eating. Aphthous formations can occur on the tonsils, gums, inner cheeks, and throat walls.
As a rule, stomatitis in children occurs against the background of the development of colds, flu and gastrointestinal reflux.
Small, white sores with well-defined edges may be due to poor personal hygiene, helminthiasis, gastritis, or colitis.
The provocateurs of pathological processes in the oropharynx are bacteria and mycoplasmas, thermal and chemical burns, iron deficiency in the body and vitamin deficiency.Stomatitis can be due to the development of malignant tumors in the nasal cavity or pharynx. If white spots in a child's throat are caused by stomatitis, gargling is used to treat the disease. Antiseptic solutions and decoctions based on medicinal chamomile or sage allow to accelerate the regeneration of affected tissues.
If the pathology has arisen due to viral or bacterial damage to the respiratory system, antibacterial and antiviral drugs are included in the therapy regimen.
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infectious disease in which there is damage to the mucous membrane of the oropharynx and bronchi. Bacterial inflammation of the ENT organs is accompanied by the formation of a whitish plaque not only on the tonsils, but also on the back of the pharynx. Diphtheria bacillus synthesizes specific enzymes that cause infectious and allergic reactions in the ciliated epithelium.
The following clinical manifestations indicate the development of a bacterial infection:
- swelling of the neck tissues;
- hyperemia of the pharynx;
- white bloom on the tonsils;
- lymph node hypertrophy;
- severe weakness;
- difficulty swallowing;
- sore throat.
The membranous form of diphtheria is characterized by the formation of a mucous plaque on the lymphadenoid formations. When trying to remove the film, the mucous membrane begins to bleed. In the absence of adequate treatment, the inflammation extends beyond the tonsils, affecting the soft palate, the root of the tongue and the palatine arches.
The hypertoxic form of diphtheria in children leads to severe intoxication of the body, convulsions and death.
Features of therapy
How to treat a sore throat in a child if the tonsils are covered with white dots? The principles of treating the disease can vary greatly depending on the cause of the development of pathological processes. The means of symptomatic and pathogenetic action allow to eliminate inflammation in the airways.
The following pharmacotherapy agents are included in the conservative treatment regimen for infectious pathologies:
- antibiotics;
- antiviral agents;
local anesthetics;- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antifungal medications;
- antiseptic rinsing solutions.
local anesthetics;At the stage of regression of catarrhal and purulent processes, physiotherapeutic treatment is used, aimed at restoring the integrity of the affected tissues and removing points from the lacunae of the tonsils.
In pediatric therapy, magnetotherapy, phonophoresis, and ultrasound cleaning of the tonsils are used to remove tonsilloliths.
Drug overview
What medications should be used to remove congestion in the tonsils? It should be understood that purulent plugs and aphthous formations on the surface of the tonsils are a symptom of the development of an infectious disease. To eliminate bacterial and viral infections in the respiratory organs, the following medicines of symptomatic and pathogenetic action are used:
| Drug category | Operating principle | Name of drugs |
| antibiotics | destroy pathogenic bacteria, which contributes to the regression of catarrhal and purulent processes in the respiratory system |
|
| antiviral agents | interfere with the synthesis of viral RNA, thereby reducing the number of pathogens in the foci of inflammation |
|
| antifungal agents | destroy the cellular structures of yeast-like fungi, which leads to their death and elimination of inflammatory processes |
|
| antiseptics for rinsing | prevent the development of pathogens in the ENT organs, as a result of which local immunity increases |
|
| lozenges | reduce inflammation, swelling and pain when swallowing, accelerate regeneration processes in lymphoid tissues |
|
| oropharyngeal extinguishing sprays | eliminate local manifestations of inflammation, which facilitates the course of ENT disease |
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| local anesthetics | inhibit the activity of pain receptors, which helps to relieve pain |
|
Throat sprays and aerosols are used to treat children 3 years of age and older.
In the case of the development of lacunar angina in young children, treatment is carried out in stationary conditions. The tonsils affected by inflammation are washed with antiseptic solutions, after which the lacunae are sealed by injecting drugs into them.
