# Tonsil stones: the horror continues **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2005, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328 "2005-09-06T13:04:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/41 "2005-09-07T20:08:37Z")
> [@featherlou](#): > > (Your cat ATE it? That is so unbelievably gross. And this from a former lab tech. Of course, they do like to lick their own bums a lot.) This, and the follow-up post, made me laugh out loud. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfgrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@Wolfgrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfgrrl)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/42 "2005-09-07T22:13:56Z")
I’ve been getting these for the past few years now but never knew what they were until I read this thread. Mine seem to more or less fall out on their own and I spit them out, or at least I can feel them up in the top of my throat and I can work them out without having to reach in after them. I do have allergies but I seem to get them mostly after eating meat or cheese so I was never sure if they had something to do with snot or cholesterol or what. I did mention them once to my ex since he also had really bad allergies but he didn’t seem to know what I was talking about. He was just so grossed out I never mentioned it to anyone again. But I have never had one as big as the OP - the biggest ones I’ve had have been more like 1/2 inch long and maybe 1/4 inch wide, and they are usually much smaller. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in this… I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/43 "2005-09-07T22:25:06Z")
Forget the HIV clearance certificates, before I kiss again I am going to demand certified proof of a tonsillectomy and a cat-free home. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/44 "2005-09-07T22:32:03Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Forget the HIV clearance certificates, before I kiss again I am going to demand certified proof of a tonsillectomy and a cat-free home. I’m going to be single for the rest of my life. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/45 "2005-09-07T22:33:56Z")
> [@Wolfgrrl](#): > > the biggest ones I’ve had have been more like 1/2 inch long and maybe 1/4 inch wide, and they are usually much smaller. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in this… I guess. And I guess I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who gets the big ones. Prior to this, I’d only ever had ones the size of peas. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2005, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/46 "2005-09-07T22:37:35Z")
> [@Q.N. Jones](#): > > They’re whitish with gray, yellow, green, orange, and/or other tinges of color to them. They’re solid but kind of soft and crumbly. Think feta cheese, only the outside has the soft pearl-like sheen. _crosses feta cheese off her list of cheeses to try_ :eek: ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/47 "2005-09-08T02:11:06Z")
I’ve read about someone who thought they had a tonsilith trying to dislodge it with a waterpic and breaking open a pocket of black sludge. BTW waterpics can slice tonsils so be very careful when trying to clean a tonsil with a waterpic. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/48 "2005-09-08T02:54:24Z")
Feeling…woozy… must…not…vomit… \ gah… I gotta go brush my teeth and gargle. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/49 "2005-09-08T03:31:08Z")
GAH! I didn’t even know there were such things until this thread! I now know that having an early-life tonsillectomy is a blessing in many, many ways… ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/50 "2005-09-08T04:02:57Z")
My husband’s tonsils have grown back twice now. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/51 "2005-09-08T05:51:46Z")
Do they grow tonsil stones too? I’m still trying to figure out how to remove tonsil stones with a waterpik. I guess it works best if you’ve got really big pockets in your tonsils? ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/52 "2005-09-08T11:13:09Z")
[http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/2533/2](http://www.abchomeopathy.com/forum2.php/2533/2) I’m pretty sure that is the same forum where I read about the black sludge in the tonsils. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/53 "2005-09-08T14:20:32Z")
There’s one in my left tonsil. I’ve seen it. Unfortunately, I can’t reach it without triggering my gag reflex. My gag reflex seems to be a lot more sensitive to stimuli on the left side of my mouth. Odd. Anyway, I’m determined to get it out today. I think it may be another giant one. I will post its size when I’ve extracted it. BTW, \*_lee_, your post about the black sludge gave me the dry heaves. Congratulations–you grossed out the gross-out artist. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/54 "2005-09-08T15:02:28Z")
> [@Q.N. Jones](#): > > There’s one in my left tonsil. I’ve seen it. Unfortunately, I can’t reach it without triggering my gag reflex. My gag reflex seems to be a lot more sensitive to stimuli on the left side of my mouth. Odd. > > Anyway, I’m determined to get it out today. I think it may be another giant one. I will post its size when I’ve extracted it. > > BTW, \*_lee_, your post about the black sludge gave me the dry heaves. Congratulations–you grossed out the gross-out artist. Post a photo, I’ve never seen one. My tonsils came out in the mid Sixties. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/55 "2005-09-08T16:16:46Z")
**Q.N.** , try massaging your temples for a bit before digging out the tonsil stone. For some reason, that eases the gag reflex, as described in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285254&highlight=rubbing+temples). And do post pictures if you get the thing out. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/56 "2005-09-08T16:34:08Z")
> [@Jeep's Phoenix](#): > > **Q.N.** , try massaging your temples for a bit before digging out the tonsil stone. For some reason, that eases the gag reflex, as described in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=285254&highlight=rubbing+temples). > > And do post pictures if you get the thing out. Well, I took your advice about massaging my temples first. And it really seemed to be working. I was prodding my tonsil and I could see the stone was really far back there. I wasn’t having any problems with my gag reflex at all, so I went after it. I pushed the pencil back there, and… …I projectile vomited my breakfast all over my mother’s desk. Thanks for the tip! 😃 The stone’s still in there. I’m going to try again though. Maybe not so aggressively. ---
**Author:** ![Elysian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c77e96/32.png) [@Elysian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elysian)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/57 "2005-09-08T16:54:56Z")
Well, since no one was going to, I went and googled. [Picture of a tonsil stone](http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/311/7021/1719/F36) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/58 "2005-09-08T17:06:53Z")
What, exactly, is the purpose of tonsils? I had mine out as a child and I don’t think I’ve missed out on anything (except, of course, the fun that is tonsil stones.) ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/59 "2005-09-08T17:45:52Z")
> [@Q.N. Jones](#): > > Well, I took your advice about massaging my temples first. And it really seemed to be working. I was prodding my tonsil and I could see the stone was really far back there. I wasn’t having any problems with my gag reflex at all, so I went after it. I pushed the pencil back there, and… > > …I projectile vomited my breakfast all over my mother’s desk. :eek: :o Well, at least you can see the stone. ---
**Author:** ![Q.N.Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/3da27b/32.png) [@Q.N.Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.N.Jones)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328/60 "2005-09-08T18:21:48Z")
> [@Elysian](#): > > Well, since no one was going to, I went and googled. > > [Picture of a tonsil stone](http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/311/7021/1719/F36) That doesn’t look like my tonsil stones. Maybe because that one’s so giant? I looked for a better picture online but couldn’t find one. I’ll photograph mine if I ever get it out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tonsil-stones-the-horror-continues/320328.md?page=4)