The soreness in your throat might not be tonsillitis, although it is usually mistaken as such. A canker sore on the tonsil can also feel like a sore throat on one side, but it aggravates the pain and other symptoms. They are small open ulcers that form on the soft surfaces of our mouth. So the inside of our cheeks, lips, tongue and even the back of our throat is not safe from the painful canker sore. Keep reading to get familiarized with the symptoms and treatments for an ulcer on your tonsil.
Symptoms of Canker Sore on Your Tonsil
A canker sore might be small, but it makes its presence known. You’ll possibly experience the following symptoms if you have a canker sore on your tonsil:
- Tingling or burning pain near tonsil before the canker sore appears
- Stinging sensation triggered by exposure to acidic or spicy food
- Soreness in one side of the throat
What are the Treatment Options?
These open mouth lesions might be painful, but they usually disappear within two weeks without any treatment. Still, medical treatments can aid in reducing pain and inflammation. Your healthcare provider might suggest:
- Hydrogen peroxide mouth rinses
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Topical mouth sprays containing benzocaine or phenol (consult a doctor before using them for children)
For severe canker sores, prescriptions or other treatments might be necessary. Some people can develop major aphthous stomatitis, a severe form of canker sores. These ulcers are bigger than usual canker sores and might cause scarring. In addition, they last two or more weeks.
Can I Treat Canker Sore at Home?
Some home remedies might help relieve the symptoms of a canker sore. You can try:
- Rinsing your mouth with a mixture of ½ teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water to soothe the symptoms
- Applying milk of magnesia on the spot using a clean cotton swab.
- Using cold water to gargle to help relieve pain and inflammation
Other than these remedies, you can also follow these prevention tips for relief:
- Cutting back on sharp, edgy food
- Eating soft and cold foods, like sucking on an ice cube and drinking cold water
Why Do Canker Sores Appear?
Anyone can get a canker sore on their tonsil, tongue, cheek, or other areas of the mouth. However, teens and young adults are more susceptible to these open mouth lesions. Additionally, family history might increase the risk of canker sores.
The exact cause of canker sores is unidentified, but it is widely accepted that some factors trigger their development. Certain factors that are thought to increase the risk for canker sores include:
- Food sensitivity to some foods and beverages, like coffee, eggs, nuts, etc.
- Emotional stress
- Mouthwash and toothpaste with Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Bacteria present in our mouth
- Hormonal changes during menstruation
- Dental Works
- Unconscious habits like biting the inside of your cheeks
- Viral infections
- Deficiency in Vitamin B-12, zinc, folate, iron, etc.
- Helicobacter pylori (bacteria that also causes peptic ulcers)
- Celiac disease, Behcet’s disease, HIV, AIDS, and other medical conditions.
What’s to do Now?
A canker on the tonsil is a possible reason one side of your throat is tender. They might hurt a lot, so you should visit our team at Aqeeq Internal Medicine. Dial 832-786-8195 to schedule an appointment today.