This content uses affiliate links. Read our disclaimer for more info.
If you’ve noticed something strange going on with your tonsils, you may be wondering if you’re dealing with tonsil stones or strep throat. They both appear as white spots covering the tonsils, so telling the difference may be a bit tricky if you’re unfamiliar with them.
So, how can you tell if you have tonsil stones or strep throat? Tonsil stones will appear on the tonsils as solid, white or off-white lumps while strep throat will (sometimes) appear as flat, white patches. Tonsil stones can be easily dislodged from the tonsils when nudged with a q-tip or your finger, while spots from strep throat cannot be manually dislodged or wiped away. In addition, the most common symptom of strep throat is throat pain. Tonsil stones are more commonly associated with bad breath rather than pain.
Keep reading for more details on telling the difference between tonsil stones and strep throat: