hit counter html code

Everything you need to know about tonsil stones, the weird growths that look like pimples in your throat

Disgusting medical videos are all the rage on YouTube these days. Pimple popping, cyst draining, earwax removal, back cracking, foot callus scraping — you name it, there are probably millions of people who want to watch it on video.

The removal of tonsil stones — tiny, pebble-like growths that can be popped out of the tonsils — is no exception. It’s a little bit like pimple popping, just inside a throat. And watching it happen on video is really satisfying.

First, a quick explainer for the uninitiated: Your tonsils are actually part of your immune system, the Mayo Clinic notes. They make white blood cells and antibodies and help fight off infections. But they also happen to be full of spooky-sounding cavities called tonsillar crypts. Some people’s crypts are deep enough that bits of food or mucus can get stuck deep inside.

Over time, those bits of debris can calcify, turning into hard, pale yellow growths made of calcium and other minerals. These are tonsil stones, and they can range in size from microscopic to a few centimeters in diameter, according to one scientific paper.

tonsil stone

Sometimes they’re nothing more than a nuisance. But there are some case reports showing that tonsil stones can cause difficulty breathing, pain when swallowing, ear pain, and bad breath.

Fortunately, you can easily remove them at home. The Mayo Clinic recommends gently pushing on the tonsil with a cotton swab or your toothbrush until the stone pops out. People who get them all the time could also consider getting their tonsils outright removed.

And if you ever need a video tutorial to guide you, fear not: A search for “tonsil stones” on YouTube returns roughly 80,000 results. Like all great medical videos, they’re hard to watch but even harder to stop watching. Here, we’ve rounded up a few of the very best:

This tonsil stone pop is short, sweet, and to the point. No wonder it has more than 15 million views. 

If you want to watch someone freak out about their own tonsil stones, we recommend this hilarious DIY removal performed by a tween and caught on video by her horrified sister. 

And if you want stone-popping compilation check out this up-close-and-personal video from a YouTube channel called Tonsil Stone Man. 

F

Related Posts

The Inspiring Journey of Annette Herfkens — Turning Survival Into Strength

In 1992, Annette Herfkens was living the dream. She was a successful Wall Street trader with a thriving career, a passionate love life, and the whole world…

Why You Should Avoid Placing a Crockpot on the Stove

A Morning Disaster I’ll Never Forget Have you ever had a kitchen mishap so shocking you still remember it years later? For me, it happened when I…

Off the air and outside the Fox News studio, contributor Tyrus heads back to a home filled with chaos

Inside Tyrus’s House Full of Kids: Chaos, Laughter, and Lessons in Patience When Fox News contributor and former pro wrestler Tyrus isn’t on television, he’s living a…

The Amazing Tale of a British Airways Pilot Who Hung On Outside a Flying Plane for 20 Minutes

In 1990, British Airways pilot Tim Lancaster experienced a harrowing event when the cockpit windshield blew out at 17,000 feet during a flight from Birmingham to Málaga,…

Who Is Katie Miller? A Look at Stephen Miller’s Wife, Her Life, and Family Beyond the Headlines

Stephen Miller may command headlines in Washington, but his wife, Katie Miller, leads a life that blends the personal and the political in equal measure. As she pivots…

My Best Friend Stole $8,000 And Disappeared. Her Wedding Gift To Me Was Shocking

The door to the hotel suite clicked shut, sealing Ryan out in the hallway. The sound was final, like a gavel striking a block. Inside, the air…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *