Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are a common oral discomfort individuals experience. These lesions cause pain, making eating and speaking challenging. Many wonder if these sores can appear in less common areas, particularly the tonsils at the back of the throat.
What Are Canker Sores?
Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that develop on the soft tissues inside the mouth. They are round or oval with a white or yellowish center and a red border. Common locations include the inside of the cheeks, lips, tongue, soft palate, and floor of the mouth.
Unlike contagious cold sores caused by a virus, canker sores are not infectious. Their exact cause is not fully understood, but they are characterized by pain. They do not spread through casual contact.
Canker Sores on Tonsils: The Reality
While most prevalent on softer, more mobile mouth parts, canker sores can occur on the tonsils. Though uncommon, their presence causes significant pain and discomfort, often mistaken for other throat infections. A tonsil canker sore usually appears as a single, painful lesion.
A tingling or burning sensation may precede the sore’s visibility by a day or two. Tonsils are lymphoid tissues; while their mucosal environment differs from other oral soft tissues, they are not immune to canker sore triggers. On the tonsils, pain is particularly noticeable during swallowing due to constant movement.
Other Causes of Sores on Tonsils
Since tonsil canker sores are infrequent, other conditions more commonly cause discomfort in this region. Strep throat, a bacterial infection, causes sudden sore throat, fever, and sometimes white patches or pus on red, swollen tonsils. Swollen neck lymph nodes and tiny red spots on the roof of the mouth can also accompany strep throat.
Viral tonsillitis, often caused by common respiratory viruses (e.g., cold or flu), also leads to a sore throat and red, swollen tonsils. Unlike strep throat, viral tonsillitis often includes cough, nasal congestion, and body aches. Another viral infection, herpangina, affects children, presenting with small, painful blisters or ulcers in the back of the mouth, throat, and tonsils, often with sudden fever.
Mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, can lead to a severely sore throat and swollen tonsils. Symptoms often include extreme fatigue, fever, and significantly swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits. Unlike bacterial infections, mononucleosis sore throat may not improve with antibiotics.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
While many throat irritations resolve, certain signs warrant medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider if a tonsil sore is accompanied by severe pain, difficulty swallowing, or trouble breathing. A high fever (above 101°F/38.5°C) or a widespread rash also indicate seeking professional advice.
Also consult a doctor if the sore persists for more than a few days to a week, or if you experience recurrent sores. Pus on the back of the throat or blood in your saliva or phlegm are additional reasons to seek medical attention. A healthcare professional can accurately diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.