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What Causes White Spots At The Back Of The Tongue?
Question: What is this on the back of my tung its alittle white ive been gargling mouth wash and even salt water nothing works... Its been like that since january. There is a small lymph node near my throat. Its been there since december.... Ive gone to the doctor twice and he said its normal should there be a bump like that near my throat? How is that normal?
Brief Answer:
Please post clear photo
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Seen the picture. It is a bit hazy. Requesting you to delete this and post a very clear picture (with a marker or pointer if possible).
Read and understood your history. You have got something white on the back of the tongue since January which you have tried to clean with mouth wash and salt water. There is a small lymph node by the throat since December. Your Doctor says this is normal.
No, there should be no lump like that near the throat. This indicates that there is a focus of infection in the area it drains.
The causes of white patch on the back of the throat are:
- Thrush meaning sort of a fungal infestation.
- Geographical tongue- to be taken as normal and no treatment may help.
- Coated furred tongue- secondary to what once drinks or eats. This again does not need a specific treatment.
It is possible that you might have tried to clean this very rough and caused minor injury causing the lymph node to appear.
I would advise you the following:
Consult an ENT Surgeon to get a clinical evaluation, actual examination, prescription based treatment, investigations like FNAC, ultrasonography of the neck if he thinks is required.
You get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Once the doubts are totally cleared the anxiety also wears off.
I hope this answer helps you. Please feel free to ask further relevant queries if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Please post clear photo
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Seen the picture. It is a bit hazy. Requesting you to delete this and post a very clear picture (with a marker or pointer if possible).
Read and understood your history. You have got something white on the back of the tongue since January which you have tried to clean with mouth wash and salt water. There is a small lymph node by the throat since December. Your Doctor says this is normal.
No, there should be no lump like that near the throat. This indicates that there is a focus of infection in the area it drains.
The causes of white patch on the back of the throat are:
- Thrush meaning sort of a fungal infestation.
- Geographical tongue- to be taken as normal and no treatment may help.
- Coated furred tongue- secondary to what once drinks or eats. This again does not need a specific treatment.
It is possible that you might have tried to clean this very rough and caused minor injury causing the lymph node to appear.
I would advise you the following:
Consult an ENT Surgeon to get a clinical evaluation, actual examination, prescription based treatment, investigations like FNAC, ultrasonography of the neck if he thinks is required.
You get a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Once the doubts are totally cleared the anxiety also wears off.
I hope this answer helps you. Please feel free to ask further relevant queries if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Post a clear picture.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Hairy tongue has no definite cause and thought to be related to some GI disturbances in some cases.
Oral Thrush mean fungal infestation and is not at all indicative of HIV unless there is a strong history of exposure to HIV. If you never has such exposure, do not worry.
Good that the tests for HIV were negative.
Please post a clear picture.
Post a clear picture.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Hairy tongue has no definite cause and thought to be related to some GI disturbances in some cases.
Oral Thrush mean fungal infestation and is not at all indicative of HIV unless there is a strong history of exposure to HIV. If you never has such exposure, do not worry.
Good that the tests for HIV were negative.
Please post a clear picture.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Okay good. No one i have known has had it but im nervous about going to an ent what do they do about looking at lymph nodes like mine and ill post another thing on here with a better picture... I was also wondering if you were taking antibiotics at the point when you were tested could itbhave messed with that hiv test?
Brief Answer:
Please post a clear picture, antibiotic have no effect on HIV tests
Detailed Answer:
The Doctor will palpate and know a lot more things about its size, site, consistency , tenderness and clinical possibility to decide whether you need further investigations and treatment.
Antibiotics do not affect/mess up with HIV testing.
Please post a clear picture, antibiotic have no effect on HIV tests
Detailed Answer:
The Doctor will palpate and know a lot more things about its size, site, consistency , tenderness and clinical possibility to decide whether you need further investigations and treatment.
Antibiotics do not affect/mess up with HIV testing.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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