Here’s What You Need to Know About Tonsil Stones — The Weird, Pimple-Like Growths in Your Throat

What Do They Look and Smell Like?

As the image shows, tonsil stones often look like small, white or yellow lumps that resemble a grain of rice or a piece of popcorn. They can range in size from a grain of sand to a pea — sometimes even larger.

The real kicker? The smell. Tonsil stones often carry a very unpleasant odor due to the bacteria and sulfur compounds they harbor. If you’ve ever had one dislodge and noticed a sudden, awful taste in your mouth — that’s the reason.

Common Symptoms of Tonsil Stones

You might not always see or feel them, but larger or more frequent tonsil stones can cause noticeable symptoms, such as:

• • A persistent sore throat or a feeling of something “stuck” in your throat
  • Chronic bad breath (halitosis)
  • Difficulty swallowing

• Ear pain (even though the stone is in your throat, nerves are interconnected)
• Swollen tonsils or visible white spots

In many cases, they’re painless and go unnoticed — until they come out, as described in the viral post:“I sneezed 4–5 times and felt something tickling my throat. Today, my throat is completely clear after this little thing came out.”