Hello, all.
Quick question: Is it normal for one of have asymmetric tonsils? For example, one of my tonsils appears inflamed and red, while the other is not at all. This isn’t an all of a sudden thing- I know the same one has been abnormally larger for at least a couple years… it may have started when I became sick a few years ago (I don’t really remember). As far as I can tell, it’s not painful- just something I’ve wondered about for a while. Thanks.
You just might have a tonsil full of stones!
Use the search tab to enter:
“tonsil stone” or tonsillolith or some spelling variation thereof, and get ready to toss yer cookies!
I’ve seen hundreds of patients over the years with asymptomatic asymmetric tonsils.
This generally has meant that sometime in the past, they had a significant inflammation (usually infectious in nature) which was worse on one side, and caused the tonsil to enlarge. Once the inflammation cleared, the tonsil had all that newly developed infection-fighting tissue on hand and it just stayed.
If however, one side looks inflamed and is painful, and this condition does not resolve quickly on its own, consulting one’s physician would be an intelligent step.
QtM, MD