Can A Red Sore On The Tip Of The Tongue Indicate Syphilis?

Posted on Fri, 30 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 30 Mar 2018 Answered on

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a red part of the tip of my tongue, I don't know if it's just food burn or if its something else. Is this a syphilis sore? I haven't had oral sex with anyone with Syphilis to my knowledge, I'm just very worried, the soreness came on a day ago.

Answered by Dr. Dr. (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:

I don't think it"s syphilis. It may be the aphthous ulcer. see details.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

I've seen your attached picture. Can you please let me know whether they are painful or painless bumps?

Common causes of painful bumps are hot stuff food, stress, lack of proper sleep, aphthous ulcer, viral fever, vitamin deficiency. Other causes are smoking, any irritant food. Syphilis ulcers are usually painless.

Kindly follow up with a detailed history.

You can apply Lidocaine, choline salicylate gel locally and take multivitamin supplements. As these are prescription medications, I would suggest consulting with your family physician.

Avoid spicy and hot food. I don't think it's syphilis.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Shyam B. Kale, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. (28 minutes later)

Thank you for answer. I'm not sure what defines pain, but when I eat and even when I'm not eating the tip of my tongue is tingly and a bit rough. So not really painful but I notice it's there. I had sexual activity with a girl 7 weeks ago but we didn't have any sort of sexual intercourse. I was going to give her anal oral and got very close but then backed away, other than that I only kissed her feet and she just touched me with her hand. I don't think I noticed any first stage sores or secondary rashes, I would have thought I would have done if they were present. The past few days and week I have been under extreme stress and worry though, I've been experiencing chest pain and have had a light headed feeling. I'm pretty sure my tongue has only been like that for at XXXXXXX a few days. I do eat spicy foods as well though that are hard to handle. My diet isn't the best either but I do take multivitamins daily.

Answered by Dr. Dr. (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:

It's mostly aphthous ulcer.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

As per you history, I do not think it's syphilis. It's most probably an aphthous ulcer.

So continue with multivitamin supplements and follow all measures as I explained in the previous answer. Kindly follow up if any query.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Shyam B. Kale, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. (4 hours later)

Wouldn't an ulcer normal have a blister like head though? I haven't noticed any head, just the red patch, and if it was syphilis I wouldn't have this constant tingling feeling then?

Answered by Dr. Dr. (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

It's not always necessary to have blister like head. see details.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thank you for reply. Yes, you are right as syphilis ulcer are usually painless. It generally don't show any tingling feeling. It's not always necessary to have blister like head for ulcer. It may be just a red patch. Kindly follow if having any query.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Shyam B. Kale, General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy