Holes in the tonsils are a sign of a chronic inflammatory process in the throat. Loose glands also indicate a decrease in local immunity in the ENT organs. If you leave this pathology without treatment, then this can lead to serious complications. Why do deep fossae appear on tonsils? And how to get rid of chronic inflammation? We will consider these issues in the article.
What it is
Palatine tonsils have a porous structure. They consist of lymphoid tissue, which has a protective function. On the glands there are recesses and sinuous-shaped channels called lacunae. They are able to independently cleanse themselves from microorganisms if the person is healthy.
Normally, the surface of the glands looks smooth and even. Natural cavities are almost invisible during external examination. Holes in the tonsils are pathologically dilated lacunae. First, small dimples appear on the glands. Without treatment, they increase in size and look like large depressions. Photos of holes in tonsils (tonsils in English) can be seen below.
Unhealthy tonsils look loose and uneven. Expanded gaps accumulate food debris. This creates a favorable soil for the reproduction of pathogens and the occurrence of the inflammatory process.
Causes
What causes holes in the tonsils? Why do lacunae expand? Deepening in the glands most often increases due to the active growth of lymphoid tissue. This leads to gland deformity. This phenomenon is most often observed in the following diseases and conditions:
- Bacterial throat infections. Due to the active reproduction of microbes, tonsils swell and lacunae increase.
- Polyps of nasopharyngeal tonsils. Adenoids in the nose often provoke inflammation and swelling of the palatine glands.
- During the recovery period after inflammation of the ENT organs. Tonsil tissue does not immediately recover after a throat infection.
- Diseases of the teeth and gums (caries, stomatitis, gingivitis). Inflammatory pathologies of the oral cavity cause the growth of the protective lymphoid tissue of the tonsils.
- Sinusitis. Inflammation of the sinuses can cause friability of the glands.
Deep holes are often observed after the formation of plugs on the glands. First, the patient has an expansion of the gaps, and the function of self-cleaning of the tonsils is impaired. Then in the recesses the remains of food accumulate, which leads to the multiplication of bacteria. A white plug appears on the glands. After washing the throat, a deep fossa forms in its place. Photos of holes in tonsils after traffic jams can be seen below.
Symptomatology
With the expansion of the gaps, the surface of the tonsils looks loose and swollen. The glands are usually enlarged. Pits on lymphoid tissue may be clogged with white contents. These signs can be seen during an external examination. The condition of the patient's throat can be seen below in the photo. Symptoms and treatment of holes in the tonsils depend on the cause of the looseness of the tonsils.
You can highlight the general manifestations that are noted with the expansion of the gaps in the glands:
- discomfort in the throat;
- difficulty swallowing;
- foreign body sensation;
- bad breath;
- coughing with white lumps;
- constant slight increase in temperature.
Such signs indicate a chronic inflammatory process in the throat.
Do I need to see a doctor
If the patient has holes with pus in the tonsils, then an urgent visit to the otolaryngologist is necessary. Such symptoms indicate severe inflammation. In no case should you try to remove the cork yourself. This can lead to the spread of bacteria and even to blood poisoning. Only specialists can wash the plugs.
Holes without pus in the tonsils can also be dangerous. Their appearance indicates a decrease in the protective function of the glands. With the expansion of lacunae, the patient often has infectious pathologies of the respiratory system. In this case, bacteria are not destroyed by cells of lymphoid tissue. This leads to frequent tonsillitis, pharyngitis and laryngitis. Therefore, a visit to the otolaryngologist is necessary even in the absence of purulent plugs.
Possible complications
Holes in the tonsils can cause suppurative tonsillitis. This disease occurs due to the accumulation of different types of bacteria and viruses in extended gaps. Pathology is difficult and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- raising the temperature to +38 ... + 40 degrees;
- an increase in cervical lymph nodes;
- severe sore throat, worse when swallowing;
- swelling and redness of the tissues in the throat;
- weakness, general malaise.
Photos of holes in tonsils with purulent tonsillitis can be seen below.
Bacteria and viruses from gaps can also enter the bloodstream and spread to various organs. This becomes the cause of secondary infectious pathologies:
- cystitis;
- pneumonia;
- gastritis;
- sepsis;
- meningitis;
- arthritis.
To avoid such serious consequences, it is necessary to timely treat chronic inflammation of the tonsils.
Diagnostics
When pronounced depressions and pits appear on the tonsils, you need to contact the otolaryngologist. The doctor will conduct a thorough examination of the throat with the help of special mirrors, as well as examine the nasal cavity and ear canals. To clarify the diagnosis, the following tests are prescribed:
- Clinical studies of blood and urine. Using these tests, signs of an inflammatory process in the body are detected.
- Throat swab for back sowing. This analysis helps determine the causative agent of inflammation.
- MRI and CT scans of the throat. Such a study is prescribed for suspected malignant tumors.
Oral antibiotics
How to treat holes in tonsils? The increase in lacunae is always associated with the inflammatory process of infectious etiology. Therefore, antibiotic therapy is necessary. Prescribe antibiotics that affect a wide range of pathogens:
- Amoxiclav;
- Amoxicillin;
- Tsiprolet;
- "Azithromycin".
However, many bacteria are now resistant to traditional drugs. Therefore, before drug therapy, it is recommended to take a test for the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics. This will help you choose the most effective drug.
Traffic Removal
Antibacterial therapy is supplemented with the use of local disinfectants. The holes in the tonsils are often clogged with accumulations of food debris, which leads to the appearance of traffic jams. In order to clean the gaps, it is necessary to wash the throat with antiseptic solutions.
This procedure is carried out in a clinic. For washing the throat use a special large syringe. An antiseptic solution is collected in it. The jet is sent directly to the gap filled with purulent contents. Under pressure, the plug is washed away. For complete cleansing of the tonsils, about 10 to 15 such procedures are required.
Large plugs are pre-softened with ultrasound. To do this, use the Tonsilor apparatus. Then carry out the usual washing of the throat with an antiseptic from a syringe.
There are times when the corks are deeply seated in the gap and are difficult to wash out. Vacuum cleaning helps remove such deposits. For this purpose, use an apparatus with a special nozzle for pumping pus from a depression in the glands.
Only a specialist can remove the plugs. At home, only gargling with decoctions of herbs (chamomile, calendula, sage) or antiseptic solutions (Miramistina, Furacilina) is allowed. This helps to reduce inflammation of the tonsils and cleanse tissues of food debris.
Physiotherapy
Drug therapy and throat lavage supplement physiotherapy. With the expansion of lacunae on the tonsils, the following procedures are prescribed:
- UV irradiation. This method of treatment helps to destroy bacteria in the throat.
- Laser Therapy This physiotherapy stimulates blood circulation and lymph outflow in the glands. This helps relieve inflammation and swelling.
- Ultrasound with medication on the tonsils. With this method of administration, the active components of the drugs penetrate deep into the throat tissue.
Surgery
If conservative treatment of holes in the tonsils does not give a result, then you have to do an operation. Surgical intervention consists in the complete removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy). This is a radical way to get rid of frequent sore throats.
The operation is indicated for frequent tonsillitis and severe atrophy of the tonsil tissue. These days, this surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, as patients often experience pain under local anesthesia. The glands are removed using a special loop or scalpel.
Currently, doctors often use more gentle methods of removing tonsils. A tonsillectomy is performed using a laser and liquid nitrogen.
It is important to remember that tonsils have a protective role. They protect the upper respiratory tract from infection. After surgery, the patient's local immunity decreases. Therefore, tonsillectomy is done only in extreme cases.
Rehabilitation after tonsillectomy
The recovery period after removal of the glands lasts about 2 weeks. During this time, the following recommendations must be observed:
- Avoid weight lifting and sharp tilting of the head. Excessive physical activity after surgery can cause bleeding.
- Refuse to drink alcohol.
- Do not visit the bathhouse, sauna and do not overheat.
- Follow a special diet. In the first week after surgery, you can only eat liquid, soft and mashed food. Food should not scratch or irritate the throat.
After surgery, a white coating of connective tissue forms on the tonsil site. It should never be removed. The whitish film leaves on its own 6-7 days after tonsillectomy.
Usually, the patient spends the rehabilitation period in a hospital under the supervision of doctors. After discharge from the hospital, it is necessary to avoid increased physical activity for another 7 to 10 days.
If a tonsillectomy was performed using a laser or liquid nitrogen, the body recovers much faster than after classical tonsil removal. Complete healing of the postoperative wound occurs within 3 to 5 days. During this period, the above rules must be observed.
Prevention
How to prevent the expansion of gaps and the appearance of plugs in the throat? Otolaryngologists advise to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Carefully observe hygiene of the mouth and throat. It is necessary to brush your teeth regularly and rinse after eating. This will help cleanse the mouth of food debris that may settle on the tonsils.
- Stop smoking. Tobacco smoke irritates the tonsils. This can provoke inflammation of the glands and the expansion of gaps.
- Do not supercool. Excessive exposure to cold on the body leads to a weakening of the immune system and sore throat.
It is also very important to cure colds and inflammatory pathologies of ENT organs in time. The transition of these diseases into a chronic form cannot be allowed. Constant sore throat is one of the main causes of holes and plugs, which can sometimes be difficult to get rid of.